Ecology of the Shortgrass Steppe

Ecology of the Shortgrass Steppe PDF Author: W. K. Lauenroth
Publisher: OUP USA
ISBN: 0195135822
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 537

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Book Description
The semiarid shortgrass steppe is the warmest, driest, and lowest in primary production of grasslands in central North America. This book is an enormously rich source of data and insight into the structure and function of semiarid grassland.

Ecology of the Shortgrass Steppe

Ecology of the Shortgrass Steppe PDF Author: W. K. Lauenroth
Publisher: OUP USA
ISBN: 0195135822
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 537

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Book Description
The semiarid shortgrass steppe is the warmest, driest, and lowest in primary production of grasslands in central North America. This book is an enormously rich source of data and insight into the structure and function of semiarid grassland.

General Technical Report RMRS

General Technical Report RMRS PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forests and forestry
Languages : en
Pages : 458

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Book Description


Eurasian Steppes. Ecological Problems and Livelihoods in a Changing World

Eurasian Steppes. Ecological Problems and Livelihoods in a Changing World PDF Author: Marinus J.A. Werger
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400738862
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 570

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Book Description
Steppes form one of the largest biomes. Drastic changes in steppe ecology, land use and livelihoods came with the emergence, and again with the collapse, of communist states. Excessive ploughing and vast influx of people into the steppe zone led to a strong decline in nomadic pastoralism in the Soviet Union and China and in severely degraded steppe ecosystems. In Mongolia nomadic pastoralism persisted, but steppes degraded because of strongly increased livestock loads. After the Soviet collapse steppes regenerated on huge tracts of fallow land. Presently, new, restorative steppe land management schemes are applied. On top of all these changes come strong effects of climate change in the northern part of the steppe zone. This book gives an up-to-date overview of changes in ecology, climate and use of the entire Eurasian steppe area and their effects on livelihoods of steppe people. It integrates knowledge that so far was available only in a spectrum of locally used languages.

The Theory of Ecology

The Theory of Ecology PDF Author: Samuel M. Scheiner
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226736873
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 416

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Book Description
Despite claims to the contrary, the science of ecology has a long history of building theories. Many ecological theories are mathematical, computational, or statistical, though, and rarely have attempts been made to organize or extrapolate these models into broader theories. The Theory of Ecology brings together some of the most respected and creative theoretical ecologists of this era to advance a comprehensive, conceptual articulation of ecological theories. The contributors cover a wide range of topics, from ecological niche theory to population dynamic theory to island biogeography theory. Collectively, the chapters ably demonstrate how theory in ecology accounts for observations about the natural world and how models provide predictive understandings. It organizes these models into constitutive domains that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of ecological understanding. This book is a milestone in ecological theory and is certain to motivate future empirical and theoretical work in one of the most exciting and active domains of the life sciences.

Ecosystem Disturbance and Wildlife Conservation in Western Grasslands

Ecosystem Disturbance and Wildlife Conservation in Western Grasslands PDF Author: Deborah M. Finch
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 9780788142048
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 88

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Book Description
Reviews & synthesizes info. about the structure, function, & components of steppe & desert grassland ecosystems in the western U.S. with special emphasis on the ecological roles & requirements of wildlife species. It is designed to draw attention to some wildlife topics that have been particularly neglected for western grasslands, & represents a cross section of the papers orally presented at the symposium as well as some additional papers solicited afterwards. Those interested in sustaining the ecological health, productivity, & biological diversity of western grassland ecosystems will find this publication valuable.

The Challenges of Long Term Ecological Research: A Historical Analysis

The Challenges of Long Term Ecological Research: A Historical Analysis PDF Author: Robert B. Waide
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030669335
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 487

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Book Description
This volume explores the challenges of sustaining long-term ecological research through a historical analysis of the Long Term Ecological Research Program created by the U.S. National Science Foundation in 1980. The book examines reasons for the creation of the Program, an overview of its 40-year history, and in-depth historical analysis of selected sites. Themes explored include the broader impact of this program on society, including its relevance to environmental policy and understanding global climate change, the challenge of extending ecosystem ecology into urban environments, and links to creative arts and humanities projects. A major theme is the evolution of a new type of network science, involving comparative studies, innovation in information management, creation of socio-ecological frameworks, development of governance structures, and formation of an International Long Term Ecological Research Network with worldwide reach. The book’s themes will interest historians, philosophers and social scientists interested in ecological and environmental sciences, as well as researchers across many disciplines who are involved in long-term ecological research.

Exotic Brome-Grasses in Arid and Semiarid Ecosystems of the Western US

Exotic Brome-Grasses in Arid and Semiarid Ecosystems of the Western US PDF Author: Matthew J. Germino
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319249304
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 475

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Book Description
Invasions by exotic grasses, particularly annuals, rank among the most extensive and intensive ways that humans are contributing to the transformation of the earth’s surface. The problem is particularly notable with a suite of exotic grasses in the Bromus genus in the arid and semiarid regions that dominate the western United States, which extend from the dry basins near the Sierra and Cascade Ranges across the Intermountain Region and Rockies to about 105° longitude. This genus includes approximately 150 species that have a wide range of invasive and non-invasive tendencies in their home ranges and in North America. Bromus species that became invasive upon introduction to North America in the late 1800’s, such as Bromus tectorum and B. rubens, have since became the dominant cover on millions of hectares. Here, millenia of ecosystem development led to landscapes that would otherwise be dominated by perennial shrubs, herbs, and biotic soil crusts that were able to persist in spite of variable and scarce precipitation. This native ecosystem resilience is increasingly coveted by land owners and managers as more hectares lose their resistance to Bromus grasses and similar exotics and as climate, land use, and disturbance-regime changes are also superimposed. Managers are increasingly challenged to glean basic services from these ecosystems as they become invaded. Exotic annual grasses reduce wildlife and livestock carrying capacity and increase the frequency and extent of wildfi res and associated soil erosion. This book uses a unique ecoregional and multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the invasiveness, impacts, and management of the large Bromus genus. Students, researchers, and practitioners interested in Bromus specifically and invasive exotics in general will benefit from the depth of knowledge summarized in the book.

Responses of Plant Communities to Grazing in the Southwestern United States :

Responses of Plant Communities to Grazing in the Southwestern United States : PDF Author: Daniel G. Milchunas
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Grazing
Languages : en
Pages : 134

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Book Description


Mammals of Colorado, Second Edition

Mammals of Colorado, Second Edition PDF Author: David M. Armstrong
Publisher: University Press of Colorado
ISBN: 145710976X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 637

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Book Description
Co-published with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Thoroughly revised and updated, Mammals of Colorado, Second Edition is a comprehensive reference on the nine orders and 128 species of Colorado's recent native fauna, detailing each species' description, habitat, distribution, population ecology, diet and foraging, predators and parasites, behavior, reproduction and development, and population status. An introductory chapter on Colorado's environments, a discussion of the development of the fauna over geologic time, and a brief history of human knowledge of Coloradan mammals provide ecological and evolutionary context. The most recent records of the state's diverse species, rich illustrations (including detailed maps, skull drawings, and photographs), and an extensive bibliography make this book a must-have reference. Amateur and professional naturalists, students, vertebrate biologists, and ecologists as well as those involved in conservation and wildlife management in Colorado will find value in this comprehensive volume.

Ecology and Conservation of Great Plains Vertebrates

Ecology and Conservation of Great Plains Vertebrates PDF Author: Fritz L. Knopf
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1475727038
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 329

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Book Description
The frontier images of America embrace endless horizons, majestic herds of native ungulates, and romanticized life-styles of nomadie peoples. The images were mere reflections of vertebrates living in harmony in an ecosystem driven by the unpre dictable local and regional effects of drought, frre, and grazing. Those effects, often referred to as ecological "disturbanees," are rather the driving forces on which species depended to create the spatial and temporal heterogeneity that favored ecological prerequisites for survival. Alandscape viewed by European descendants as monotony interrupted only by extremes in weather and commonly referred to as the "Great American Desert," this country was to be rushed through and cursed, a barrier that hindered access to the deep soils of the Oregon country, the rich minerals of California and Colorado, and the religious freedom sought in Utah. Those who stayed (for lack of resources or stamina) spent a century trying to moderate the ecological dynamics of Great Plains prairies by suppressing fires, planting trees and exotic grasses, poisoning rodents, diverting waters, and homogenizing the dynamies of grazing with endless fences-all creating bound an otherwise boundless vista. aries in Historically, travelers and settlers referred to the area of tallgrasses along the western edge of the deciduous forest and extending midway across Kansas as the "True Prairie. " The grasses thlnned and became shorter to the west, an area known then as the Great Plains.