Ecophysiological, ecological, and soil processes in terrestrial ecosystems: a primer on general concepts and relationships

This ecophysiological primer serves as an introductory chapter on the concepts applied in subsequent chapters reviewing the state of knowledge concerning the effects of climate change on ecological processes that affect impacts on terrestrial ecosystems and some socio-economic systems. Because many of the responses of terrestrial plants in the diverse ecosystems are similar, this primer discusses: the effects of important climatic driving forces that are likely to change; soil fertility as a modifying effect with a brief discussion on soil biological factors; and ecological interactions between the different organisms in each ecosystem.