Grassland Ecosystems of the World: Analysis of Grasslands and their Uses

First published in 1976, this volume describes the structure and functioning of grassland ecosystems.

R. T. Coupland (Edited by)

9780521112970, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 18 June 2009

432 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.63 kg

First published in 1976, this volume describes the structure and functioning of grassland ecosystems. Five kinds of grassland are considered, namely natural temperate grasslands, semi-natural temperate meadows and pastures, tropical grasslands, arable grassland and cropland. Descriptions of the abundance and biomass of plants, animals and micro-organisms are provided, as well as an assessment of the activities of each functional group of organisms in relation to production, consumption and decomposition. Static models of energy flow and nutrient cycling are included, and the effects on the ecosystem of the management of grazing land and cropland are also considered. The volume is based on data collected in more than 50 studies made during the International Biological Programme studies in 22 countries.

Foreword J. B. Cragg
Part I. Introduction: 1. Background R. T. Coupland
2. The nature of grassland R. T. Coupland
3. Problems in studying grassland ecosystems R. T. Coupland
Part II. Natural Temperate Grasslands: 4. Introduction N. R. French
5. Producers P. L. Sims and R. T. Coupland
6. Consumers M. I. Dyer
7. Micro-organisms E. A. Paul, F. E. Clark and V. O. Biderbeck
8. Systems synthesis R. T. Coupland and G. M. Van Dyne
9. Use and management R. T. Coupland
Part III. Semi-Natural Temperate Meadows and PasturesM. Rychniovská: 10. Introduction E. Balátová-Tulácková
11. Primary producers in meadows M. Numata
12. Consumers in meadows and pastures H. Haas and G. A. E. Ricou
13. Micro-organisms in meadows B. Ulehlová
14. Ecosystem synthesis of meadows M. Rychniovská, A. A. Titlyanova and M. I. Bazilvich
15. Use and management of meadows B. Speidel
Part IV. Tropical Grasslands R. Misra: 16. Introduction K. C. Misra
17. Primary production J. S. Singh and M. C. Joshi
18. Consumers M. C. Dash
19. Micro-organisms R. S. Dwivedi
20. Ecosystem synthesis J. S. Singh, K. P. Singh and P. S. Yadava
21. Use and management R. K. Gupta and R. S. Ambasht
Part V. Arable Grasslands W. M. Willoughby: 22. Introduction W. M. Willoughby and P. J. Vickery
23. Producers P. J. Vickery
24. Consumers K. J. Hutchinson and K. L. King
25. Micro-organisms R. L. Davidson
26. Nutrient cycling A. R. Till
27. Use, management and conservation W. M. Willoughby and R. L. Davidson
Part VI. Croplands L. Ryszkowski: 28. Introduction L. Ryszkowski
29. Producers Z. Wojcik
30. Consumers L. Ryszkowski
31. Micro-organisms J. Gotebiowska
32. Ecosystem synthesis L. Ryszkowski
Part VII. Conclusion: 33. Conclusion R. T. Coupland
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ]