Analysis Of Structure Function And Utilization Of Grassland Ecosystems A Progress Report

With one volume each year, this series keeps scientists and advanced students informed of the latest developments and results in all areas of the plant sciences. The present volume includes reviews on physiology, ecology and vegetation science.

This 1980 book was a synthesis of much of the recent work on the functioning of grassland ecosystems at the time.

As human pressures on land intensify, land-use decisions in response to the new demands become increasingly critical. Thus, the fate of the little-known Running Creek Watershed assumes a broad importance. Running Creek Watershed is a 150-kilometer strip of land lying just east of the rapidly expanding urban corridor of Colorado's front range. The land in the watershed is devoted primarily to the production of food, and includes pasture, dry crop, and irrigated crop operations. Two sources of demand suggest dramatic future changes in this land-use pattern: advancing urbanization, and energy demands for the coal available in a large deposit 25 kilometers east of Denver. In this volume Timothy Tregarthen presents a synthesis of discussions and papers presented at a 1976 conference that focused on the trade-offs implicit in the land-use alternatives of food production, urbanization, and energy development. Sponsored by the Wright-Ingraham Institute, the conference brought together a wide range of scientists, humanists, public officials, representatives of industrial and agricultural organizations, and interested citizens concerned not only about this important regional problem, but about the broader implications of competing land-use needs. Conference participants examined factors important to changes in land use, giving particular attention to the natural, economic, political, and value systems at work on the watershed in terms of how these systems affect and will be affected by changing land-use patterns.

This book presents various aspects of agroforestry research and development, as well as the latest trends in degraded landscape management. Over the last four decades, agroforestry research (particularly on degraded landscapes) has evolved into an essential problem-solving science, e.g. in terms of sustaining agricultural productivity, improving soil health and biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem services, supporting carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change. This book examines temperate and tropical agroforestry systems around the world, focusing on traditional and modern practices and technologies used to rehabilitate degraded lands. It covers the latest research advances, trends and challenges in the utilization and reclamation of degraded lands, e.g. urban and peri-urban agroforestry, reclamation of degraded landscapes, tree-based multi-enterprise agriculture, domestication of high-value halophytes, afforestation of coastal areas, preserving mangroves and much more. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable asset for a broad range of stakeholders including farmers, scientists, researchers, educators, students, development/extension agents, environmentalists, policy/decision makers, and government and non-government organizations.

This book brings together information on the contrasting characteristics, condition, present use and problems of the world's main natural grasslands. Since grassland is commercialized through the grazing animal, particular attention is paid to the livestock production systems associated with each main type. Grazing resources are more than simply edible herbage: many other factors have to be taken into account, notably water in all areas, and shelter in winter-cold climates. Seasonality of forage supply is a characteristic of almost all grazing lands, so the strategies for dealing with lean seasons are described. The main problems of each type are mentioned and possible strategies for their sustainable management discussed - taking into account their multiple functions, not only livestock production. The book is primarily aimed at agricultural scientists, educationalists, extensionists and decision-makers with interests in responsible use of extensive grasslands.