Grassland ecology

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_1F80D73E4810
Type
A part of a book
Collection
Publications
Title
Grassland ecology
Title of the book
Encyclopedia of environmental biology
Author(s)
Sanders I.R.
Publisher
Academic Press
Address of publication
San Diego
ISBN
0-12-226732-X
Publication state
Published
Issued date
1995
Editor
Nierenberg W.A.
Volume
2
Pages
225-235
Language
english
Notes
ID0BF0C92D677E_
Abstract
The definition of grassland covers an extremely diverse range of ecosystems with vegetation dominated by grasses (Gramineae) or grasslike species, such as the sedges and rushes (Cyperaceae and Juncaceae). Although grasslands are found in the temperate, tropical, arctic, and montane regions of the world, they are almost all characterized by experiencing a seasonal period of low rainfall. Most grasslands cover terrain of relatively uniform releif and display little of the diversification in vegetation strata that can be found in woodlands or forests, however, they do maintain a remarkably diverse flora that can only coexist owing to the interacting environmental factors of climate, soils, grazing, and fire. At the small scale, below 10m2, grasslands are probably the most species-rich plant communities in the world. Knowledge of the structure and functioning of the aboveground and belowground floral and faunal communities is essential for the correct management for maintenance and preservation of the globally important ecosystems
Create date
24/01/2008 18:38
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:55
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