Old Fields

Old Fields explores one of the most underexamined yet ecologically significant phenomena in landscape change: land abandonment. As farming and land use practices shift around the globe, vast areas are being left to regenerate on their own. This book offers a rare and timely synthesis of what happens next—ecologically, socially, and practically.

Bringing together a global team of experts, Old Fields provides a comprehensive look at how abandoned lands recover, what factors shape that recovery, and how these insights inform broader ecological theory and the applied practice of restoration. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of why agricultural lands are abandoned, how different ecosystems respond over time, and what old field dynamics reveal about resilience, succession, and biodiversity.

With twelve richly detailed case studies—from the Brazilian Amazon to the New Jersey piedmont to South African shrublands—the book gives a comparative perspective on old field recovery across climate zones, land uses, and ecological contexts. Final chapters tie these examples together to highlight patterns, key variables, and lessons that can guide future restoration efforts.

Ideal for restoration practitioners, researchers, land managers, and policymakers, Old Fields serves as both a scientific reference and a practical guide for navigating the challenges and opportunities of regenerating abandoned landscapes.