Friedrich-Karl Holtmeier Knihy

The book provides a comprehensive analysis of animal populations and their interactions with various ecosystems, highlighting their functional roles in energy and matter fluxes. It explores the impact of animal density on vegetation across diverse regions, including case studies of species outbreaks. Topics include seed dispersal by animals, the influence of burrowing species on soil development, and the consequences of introducing non-native species. Additionally, it examines the role of keystone species in landscape management and conservation, alongside the effects of climate change on these dynamics.

Engaging in over four decades of timberline research, the author reflects on the complexities of documenting this diverse ecological phenomenon. Encouraged by the late Prof. Heinz Ellenberg, the book aims to provide a comprehensive view of timberline's physiognomic and structural variety, drawing from the author's field experiences in regions like the Alps and North America. Originally published in German, this English edition expands its reach, integrating personal observations and collaborative research to enrich the understanding of timberline ecology.

Chapter 5 focuses on problems resulting from introduction of alien animals and from re-introduction of animal species to their original habitats, discusses the effects on ecosystems of burrowing, digging and trampling by animals.