Grasslands around the world are a resource of great economic importance, as the origin of most of the world's milk and wool and much of the meat. The growing world population and global warming have put increased pressure on the world's grasslands. Ross Humphreys has played a leading role in the development of grassland science and in this authoritative review discusses how it has evolved over the past sixty years. Using the proceedings of the International Grassland Congress since 1937, Professor Humphreys identifies the shifting emphasis of the science, assesses the current state of play and looks at perspectives for the future. This review will be of great value to all grassland scientists and ecologists.
Recent research suggests that the application of the old concepts of pasture management developed in Europe, USA and South Africa have been unsuccessful in the Tropics; in some areas under-utilisation has resulted in poor animal output and low economic returns, whereas in other areas overgrazing has resulted in soil erosion and weeds. This book sets out to examine the problems involved in the utilisation of tropical and subtropical pastures and to explain how pastures may be managed to meet the requirements of both plants and animals for growth and replacement. Following an overview of the livestock systems of the tropics, the effects of grazing animals on the edaphic, biotic and climatic environment of the pasture are described. The response of the animals to the available pasture are discussed in terms of pasture attributes of nutritive value and sward structure, selectivity and grazing behaviour. Methods for attaining continuity of forage supply are also described. The author, Profe
Grasslands around the world are a resource of great economic importance, as the origin of most of the world's milk and wool and much of the meat. The growing world population and global warming have put increased pressure on the world's grasslands. Ross Humphreys has played a leading role in the development of grassland science and in this authoritative review discusses how it has evolved over the past sixty years. Using the proceedings of the International Grassland Congress since 1937, Professor Humphreys identifies the shifting emphasis of the science, assesses the current state of play and looks at perspectives for the future. This review will be of great value to all grassland scientists and ecologists.
