Grasslands
Developments, Opportunities, Perspectives
Stephen Reynolds and John Frame (eds.): Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
ISBN 978-1-57808-359-6; 2005; 556 pages, pb, 32 color plates; $ 74.00      Buy Now

This book looks at significant current grassland problems and issues, and provides an insight into grassland productivity in diverse areas of the world, with their various production systems. There is a focus on recent technical advances and the prospects for further innovation, through twenty-one chapters by eminent grassland scientists, grouped into seven sections - forage germplasm; forage conservation; grass-based systems and organic production; climate change, biodiversity and biotechnology; geographical information systems; farmer and pastoralist participation; and regional developments. The book is timely in view of the expanding human and livestock populations, especially in arid and semi-arid environments, with the consequent pressure on the world's grasslands.

Researchers, lecturers and students in grassland science and its associated disciplines will find the texts and references a valuable resource in their work. Land use advisers and policy-makers should find stimulus for new ideas in the debate on the future role of grasslands in feeding the Earth's population.

Contents:
Forage Germplasm
. Prospects for Temperate Forage Legumes: John Frame and Scott Laidlaw
. The Future Role of Forage Legumes in the Mediterranean Climatic Areas: Leonardo Sulas
. New Grasses and Legumes: Advances and Perspectives for the Tropical Zones of Latin
America: L. Jank et al.
. Perspectives on Forage Tree Legumes: H.M. Shelton

Forage Conservation
. Silage: A Global Perspective: Roger Wilkins
. Prospects for Haying Systems Around the World: Duane McCartney

Grass-based Systems and Organic Production
. Meat and Milk Production from Grass-based Systems: Ian Wright
. New Zealand's Pastoral Industries: Efficient Use of Pastoral Resources: J. Hodgson et al.
. Organic Grassland: Principles, Practices and Potential: David Younie and Ton Baars

Climate Change, Biodiversity and Biotechnology
. Rising Atmospheric CO 2 and Global Climate Change: Management Implications for Grazinglands: Jack A. Morgan
. Biodiversity in Grasslands: Current Changes and Scenarios for the Future: Martin R. Aguiar
. Biotechnological Approaches to Temperate Forage Improvement: C.J. Pollock et al.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
. GIS-based Forage Species Adaptation Mapping: D.B. Hannaway et al.
. The Application of Remote Sensing Technology to Grassland Resource Management in China: Nan Zhi Bao

Farmer and Pastoralist Participation
. New Forages for Smallholder Livestock Systems in Southeast Asia: Recent Developments, Impacts and Opportunities: P. Horne et al.
. Pastoralists, Present and Future: Rangeland Development in West Asia and North Africa: Jon Rae

Regional Developments
. Forage and Ruminant Livestock Integration in Tree Crop Plantations of Southeast Asia: C.C. Wong et al.
. Intensive Forage Production in Smallholder Dairy Farming in Eastern Africa: Apollo Orodho
. Rural Depopulation and Grassland Management in Patagonia: Pablo Borelli and Andrés F. Cibils
. Australian Temperate Grasslands: Changing Philosophies and Future Prospects: D.R. Kemp and D.L. Michalk
. The Future for Savannah and Tropical Grasslands: A Latin American Perspective: Raúl R. Vera