East African Grasslands

Author : Robin Reid
Publisher : Univ of California Press
ISBN 13 : 0520954076
Total Pages : 411 pages
Book Rating : 4.76/5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book Savannas of Our Birth written by Robin Reid and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2012-10-01 with total page 411 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book tells the sweeping story of the role that East African savannas played in human evolution, how people, livestock, and wildlife interact in the region today, and how these relationships might shift as the climate warms, the world globalizes, and human populations grow. Our ancient human ancestors were nurtured by African savannas, which today support pastoral peoples and the last remnants of great Pleistocene herds of large mammals. Why has this wildlife thrived best where they live side-by-side with humans? Ecologist Robin S. Reid delves into the evidence to find that herding is often compatible with wildlife, and that pastoral land use sometimes enriches savanna landscapes and encourages biodiversity. Her balanced, scientific, and accessible examination of the current state of the relationships among the region’s wildlife and people holds critical lessons for the future of conservation around the world.

Author : Victor R. Squires
Publisher : CRC Press
ISBN 13 : 1351652206
Total Pages : 430 pages
Book Rating : 4.09/5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book Grasslands of the World written by Victor R. Squires and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2018-09-05 with total page 430 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book begins with a brief account of the extraordinary sequence of events that led to emergence of grasslands as major vegetation formations that now occupy some of the driest and hottest and the highest and coldest on earth as well as vast steppes and prairies in more temperate climes. It is the story of grasses successfully competing with forests and woodlands, aided and abetted by grazing herbivores and by humans and their use of fire as a tool. It is a story of adaptation to changing climates and the changing biophysical environments. A major focus of the book is the Palaearctic biogeographic realm that extends over some 45 million km2 and thus more than 1/3 of the terrestrial ice-free surface on Earth. It comprises extensive grasslands of different types and origin, which can be subdivided into (1) natural grasslands with (1a) steppes (climatogenic in dry climates), (1b) arctic-alpine grasslands (climatogenic in cold climates) and (1c) azonal and extrazonal grasslands (pedogenic and topogenic) as well as (2) secondary grasslands created and sustained by human activities, such as livestock grazing, mowing or burning. Grasslands of the Palaearctic do not only form a major basis for the agriculture of the region and thus its food supply, but are also crucial for other ecosystem services and host a supra proportional part of the realm’s plant and animal diversity. To reflect that suitability of grasslands for biodiversity strongly depends on their state, we apply the term High Nature Value grassland to those natural grasslands that are not degraded (in good state) and those secondary grasslands that are not intensified (semi-natural). The situation in a variety of countries where grasslands are evolving under the influence of global climate change is also considered. Case studies are presented on Southern Africa, Eastern Africa, India, China, South America, North America and Australia. The concluding chapter examines a set of themes arising from the chapters that make up the bulk of this book. The following provide a focus: recent history of grassland biomes – brief recap of current thinking and recent trends with special reference to dry grasslands in the Palearctic regions; the current status of grasslands and germplasm resources (biodiversity) – an overview; management systems that ensure sustainability; how to recover degraded grasslands; socio-economic issues and considerations in grassland management; the impacts of environmental problems in grasslands such as future climate change and intensification and the problems/prospects facing pastoralists and other grassland-based livestock producers.

Author : G. Boonman
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9780792318675
Total Pages : 376 pages
Book Rating : 4.76/5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book East Africa’s grasses and fodders: Their ecology and husbandry written by G. Boonman and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 1993-02-28 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is based on more than 1000 references to English and French articles produced in the region over many decades. A comprehensive review of the achievements in farming and research in both wet and dryland is given, related to the grasslands of: Eastern Africa, extending from Malawi to Eritrea, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan and eastern Zaire. Sown grasses, within the time-proven system of mixed-farming based on crop-grass rotations. Fodders, e.g. Elephant grass, dryland-Sorghum, lucerne, Leucaena, tropical legumes and hay.£/LIST£ The main objectives of the book are to illustrate the value of East African grasses and fodders for: Livestock: East Africa is the gene-centre of the world's most famous cultivated tropical grasses capable of achieving high animal performance, also without fertilizer. Soil fertility maintenance: local farmers pioneered the practice of grass fallows with Elephant grass to restore soil fertility. This was later extended to sown grasses to accelerate the restoration process. Crop yields are doubled following pasture. Environmental protection: priority in natural grassland is to prevent deterioration. In crop-pasture rotations grasses are effective in trapping rainfall and in reducing erosion by improved soil structure. Topics discussed include animal manure versus fertilizer; zero versus direct grazing; fodder crops (annual and perennial) versus grass conservation; seed production and plant breeding. The main species in cultivation are described in detail.

Author : Robin S. Reid
Publisher : Univ of California Press
ISBN 13 : 0520273559
Total Pages : 410 pages
Book Rating : 4.59/5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book Savannas of Our Birth written by Robin S. Reid and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2012-10 with total page 410 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Ultimately, we can all trace our origins back to the savannas of Africa. Robin Reid's book provides an eloquent introduction into the biology of the savannas that shaped us as humans; simultaneously, she provides an insightful and comprehensive overview of current and future threats to East African savannas and the steps that need to be taken to conserve the world we first lived in. Don't go to East Africa without first reading this book; it will enhance your safari and empower your research."–Andrew P. Dobson, author of Conservation and Biodiversity "Savannas of Our Birth provides a balanced, scientific, and accessible examination of the current state of East African savannas and the relationships among the wildlife and people who live there. Reid examines how savannas came to be and what alternative futures may be possible by trying to chart a middle ground in contentious debates about conservation and local rights."–J. Terrence McCabe, author of Cattle Bring Us to Our Enemies: Turkana Ecology, History, and Raiding in a Disequilibrium System "Reid's research focusing on pastoralists has reminded me that wildlife and domestic livestock co-existed to their mutual benefit for the last 2000 years. With reopened eyes, I've even seen it for myself in the case of the Masai and the savanna wildlife I study. There is an extraordinary wealth of information in this book."–Richard D. Estes, author of The Behavior Guide to African Mammals

Author : Philip Steele
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781575050423
Total Pages : 36 pages
Book Rating : 4.20/5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book Grasslands written by Philip Steele and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Describes grasslands of the world, including the plants, animals and people found there. Suggests activities and questions for discussion and presents case studies of specific grasslands.

Author : Edna Margaret Lind
Publisher : Longman Publishing Group
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 284 pages
Book Rating : 4.44/5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book East African Vegetation written by Edna Margaret Lind and published by Longman Publishing Group. This book was released on 1974 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Vegetation types; Vegetation and environment.

Author :
Publisher : First Avenue Editions
ISBN 13 : 1580138497
Total Pages : 52 pages
Book Rating : 4.99/5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book The Lion and the Hare written by and published by First Avenue Editions. This book was released on 2009-01-01 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A retelling of a traditional East African tale in which a clever hare finds a way to outwit the lion that is terrifying all the other grassland animals.

Author : Peter A. Furley
Publisher : Oxford University Press
ISBN 13 : 0191026751
Total Pages : 177 pages
Book Rating : 4.51/5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book Savannas: A Very Short Introduction written by Peter A. Furley and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2016-06-16 with total page 177 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Savannas form one of the largest and most important of the world's ecological zones. Covering one fifth of the Earth's land surface, they are home to some of the world's most iconic animals and form an extremely important global resource for plants and wildlife. However, increasing recognition of their land potential means that they are extremely vulnerable to accelerating pressures on usable land. This Very Short Introduction considers savannas as landscapes. Discussing their origin, topography, and global distribution, Peter A. Furley explores the dynamic nature of savannas and illustrates how they have shaped human evolution and movements. He goes on to discuss the unrelenting pressures that confront conservation and management and considers the future for savannas. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Author : T. R. McClanahan
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN 13 : 0195108175
Total Pages : 482 pages
Book Rating : 4.70/5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book East African Ecosystems and Their Conservation written by T. R. McClanahan and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 1996 with total page 482 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: East Africa is one of the most diverse and interesting tropical area on the planet. It is home not only to the last great megafaunal assemblage, but also to human populations with the highest growth rates. This book draws on the expertise of leading ecologists, each intimately familiar with a particular set of East African ecosystems, to provide the first in-depth and integrated account of the ecology, management, threats, and conservation of these diverse ecosystems. Summarizing the tremendous wealth of scientific research that has come out of East Africa in the last few decades, each chapter analyzes a given ecosystem type, taking the reader through the basics of its ecology, its historical use (and misuse) by humans, and its prospects for conservation. Throughout the book, linkages and similarities among ecosystems are emphasized, the historical and contemporary role of humans in shaping these ecosystems is considered, fundamental principles of ecology are considered, and interesting case studies are highlighted. Students and researchers in ecology, conservation biology, and environmental sciences will find this book useful in their work.

Author : David Lambert
Publisher : Raintree
ISBN 13 : 9780817250607
Total Pages : 54 pages
Book Rating : 4.03/5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book People of the Grasslands written by David Lambert and published by Raintree. This book was released on 1998 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Describes the geography and ecology of grassland regions, and the history of human activity in some major grasslands around the world.