Description Volume 17 of the Ecosystems of the World series is divided into two parts. Volume 17A provides a review of managed grasslands in different
parts of the world and the varying ways in which they are managed. Volume 17B, ``Managed Grasslands: Analytical Studies'', edited by
R.W. Snaydon, was published in 1987 and is mainly devoted to a discussion of ecological processes occurring in all managed grasslands.
The two volumes provide a complete cross-section of current knowledge of the structure and function of managed grasslands throughout
the world, including all the processes determining the productivity of these ecosystems.
Contents Preface (A.I. Breymeyer). List of Contributors.
Section I. MANAGED GRASSLANDS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD. 1. The Spatial Differentiation
of Grasslands in Europe (A. Dziewulska). Introduction. The distribution of grassland in europe. Proportion between meadows and pastures.
Productivity of grassland. Conclusion. References.
2. The Distribution and Management of Grasslands in the British Isles (J.O.
Green). Introduction. History of pastoral developments. Modern grassland. Grassland in relation to climate. Livestock enterprises. Age
structure of the grassland. Botanical composition. Productivity. Exploitation of grass. References.
3. The Systems of Grassland Management
in Spain (P. Montserrat and F. Fillat). Introduction. General aspects. The main grazing systems in Spain at the present time. How
to utilize the diversity of Spanish grasslands. Acknowledgements. References.
4. Grasslands in Upland Areas: The Massif Central
(France) (P. Loiseau, F.X. de Montard and G. Ricou). Introduction. Intensive grasslands. Extensive grasslands. Conclusions. References.
5. Managed Grasslands in South Africa (P.J. Edwards and N.M. Tainton). Introduction. Pasture regions of South Africa. Main pasture
species and their role in livestock production. Establishment procedures. Management procedures. Herbage and animal production. Fodder
conservation. Economics and future development. Acknowledgements. References.
6. Managed Grassland in Japan (I. Ito). Climatic
and geographic characteristics. Vegetation in Japanese grasslands. Growth, inorganic and organic constituents, and primary productivity
of predominant plant species. Soil of the semi-natural grasslands. Soil-plant relationships in semi-natural grassland in northeastern
Japan. Land utilization and development of grassland agriculture - An example of the breakdown of ecological balance caused by artificial
pasture establishment. Fluctuation of cattle tick density in managed grassland in Japan - An example of the complexity of managed grassland
ecosystems. References.
7. Structural and Dynamic Characteristics of Overgrazed Lands of Northern Patagonia, Argentina. (J. Ares
et al.). Physiographic characteristics (M. Rostagno). Patterns of vegetation distribution (A.M. Beeskow). Degradation of the landscape
(M. Rostagno). Dynamic characteristics of Chubut grasslands (M. Bertiller). Grazing management for sustained yield in Chubut (J. Ares).
Appendix. Managerial model to compute primary productivity and estimate adequate stocking rates (J. Ares and M. Bertiller). Acknowledgements.
References.
Section II. SPECIAL CASES OF THE STRONG HUMAN IMPACT ON GRASSLANDS.
8. Seasonally Flooded Neotropical Savanna Closed
by Dikes (L. Bulla, J. Pacheco and G. Morales). Introduction. The natural savanna vegetation. The effect of dikes on vegetation and
organic matter balance. The effect of dikes on populations of large herbivores. Impact of módulos on bird communities. The effect
of grazing on módulo savannas. Acknowledgements. References.
9. Grasslands on Drained Peats in Poland (A. Kajak and H.
Okruszko). Formation of grassland soils (H. Okruszko). Transformations in communities (A. Kajak). References.
10. The Use of Turfgrasses
in Temperate Humid Climates (J. Shildrick). Temperate turfgrass areas: Classification and extent. The temperate turfgrasses. Biomass
and production. Effects of management, use and environment. References.
Section III. SEARCH FOR A SYNTHESIS.
11. Changes in
Structure and Function of Temperate-Zone Grasslands under the Influence of Man (A.A. Titlyanova et al.). Introduction. Natural, grazed
and hayed grasslands. Fertilized grasslands. Natural ecosystems and agrocenoses. Heterotrophic complexes. Conclusions and discussion.
Acknowledgements. References.
12. Managed Grasslands and Ecological Experience (A.I. Breymeyer). Productivity limits. Geographical
differentiation. Effects of heavy fertilization. Effects of industrial pollution. References.
13. The Future Role of Managed Grasslands
(C.R.W. Spedding). Acknowledgement. References. Author Index. Systematic Index. General Index.
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Regional Studies
