The Evolving Science of Grassland Improvement [Paperback]

An authoritative review of the past, present and future of this important agricultural ecosystem.Grasslands are a resource of great economic importance, providing much of the world's milk, wool and meat. Over the past 60 years great progress has been made in grassland science to cope with increasing pressures such as population growth and global warming.Ross Humphreys is a leading authority whose unique review will be of great significance to all grassland scientists and ecologists.Grasslands are a resource of great economic importance, providing much of the world's milk, wool and meat. Over the past 60 years great progress has been made in grassland science to cope with increasing pressures such as population growth and global warming.Ross Humphreys is a leading authority whose unique review will be of great significance to all grassland scientists and ecologists.Grasslands around the world provide most of the world's milk and wool and much of the meat. The growing world population and global warming have put increased pressure on the world's grasslands. Ross Humphreys has played a leading role in the development of grassland science and in this authoritative review discusses how it has evolved over the past sixty years. Using the proceedings of the International Grassland Congress since 1937, Humphreys identifies the shifting emphasis of the science, assesses the current situation and provides perspectives for its future direction.Preface; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; 1. Grassland improvement and environmental protection; 2. The plant genetic base for grassland improvement; 3. The nitrogen economy of grasslands; 4. Growth and defoliation; 5. Grassland ecology; 6. Grazing management; 7. Innovation, optimization and the realization of change; Appendix: the International Grassland Congresses; References; Index. Useful not only to students of grassland ecology but to environmentalists and plant scientists wanting up-to-date information on major ecological themes. lS9