TY - BOOK ID - 14306608 TI - Forgotten grasslands of the South : natural history and conservation PY - 2013 SN - 159726489X 1597263621 161091225X PB - Washington, DC : Island Press, DB - UniCat KW - Grassland conservation -- Southern States. KW - Grassland ecology -- Southern States. KW - Natural history -- Southern States. KW - Earth & Environmental Sciences KW - Environmental Sciences KW - Natural history KW - Grassland conservation KW - Grassland ecology KW - Grasslands KW - Conservation of grasslands KW - Grasslands conservation KW - Ecology KW - Conservation KW - Environment. KW - Ecology. KW - Trees. KW - Wildlife. KW - Fish. KW - Nature conservation. KW - Environment, general. KW - Nature Conservation. KW - Fish & Wildlife Biology & Management. KW - Terrestial Ecology. KW - Tree Biology. KW - Nature conservation KW - Environmental sciences. KW - Wildlife management. KW - Balance of nature KW - Biology KW - Bionomics KW - Ecological processes KW - Ecological science KW - Ecological sciences KW - Environment KW - Environmental biology KW - Oecology KW - Environmental sciences KW - Population biology KW - Animal populations KW - Game management KW - Management, Game KW - Management, Wildlife KW - Plant populations KW - Wildlife resources KW - Natural resources KW - Wildlife conservation KW - Conservation of nature KW - Nature KW - Nature protection KW - Protection of nature KW - Conservation of natural resources KW - Applied ecology KW - Conservation biology KW - Endangered ecosystems KW - Natural areas KW - Dendrology KW - Nursery stock KW - Woody plants KW - Arboriculture KW - Forests and forestry KW - Timber KW - Environmental science KW - Science KW - Management KW - Ecology . KW - Fish KW - Pisces KW - Aquatic animals KW - Vertebrates KW - Fisheries KW - Fishing KW - Ichthyology UR - https://www.unicat.be/uniCat?func=search&query=sysid:14306608 AB - Forgotten Grasslands of the South is a literary and scientific case study of some of the biologically richest and most endangered ecosystems in North America. Eminent ecologist Reed Noss tells the story of how southern grasslands arose and persisted over time and addresses questions that are fundamental for conserving these vital yet poorly understood ecosystems. The author examines the natural history of southern grasslands their origin and history (geologic, vegetation, and human) biological hotspots and endangered ecosystems physical determinants of grassland distribution, including ecology, soils, landform, and hydrology fire, herbivores, and ecological interactions The final chapter presents a general conservation strategy for southern grasslands, including prioritization, protection, restoration, and management. Also included are examples of ongoing restoration projects, along with a prognosis for the future. In addition to offering fascinating new information about these little-studied ecosystems, Noss demonstrates how natural history is central to the practice of conservation. Natural history has been on a declining trajectory for decades, as theory and experimentation have dominated the field of ecology. Ecologists are coming to realize that these divergent approaches are in fact complementary, and that pursuing them together can bring greater knowledge and understanding of how the natural world works and how we can best conserve it. Forgotten Grasslands of the South explores the overarching importance of ecological processes in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and is the first book of its kind to apply natural history, in a modern, comprehensive sense, to the conservation of biodiversity across a broad region. It sets a new standard for scientific literature and is essential reading not only for those who study and work to conserve the grasslands of the South but also for everyone who is fascinated by the natural world. ER -