{"product_id":"forgotten-grasslands-of-the-south-natural-history-and-conservation-9781597264891","title":"Forgotten Grasslands of the South: Natural History and Conservation","description":"\u003ci\u003eForgotten Grasslands of the South\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe author examines: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ethe natural history of southern grasslands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003etheir origin and history (geologic, vegetation, and human)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ebiological hotspots and endangered ecosystems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ephysical determinants of grassland distribution, including ecology, soils, landform, and hydrology fire, herbivores, and ecological interactions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eForgotten Grasslands of the South\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eReed Noss is Provost's Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Central Florida, former editor-in-chief of \u003ci\u003eConservation Biology\u003c\/i\u003e, and past-president of the Society for Conservation Biology.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Island Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52160152699154,"sku":"9781597264891","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_64383e41-bcb6-4442-afd9-d15c239ef631.jpg?v=1775037843","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/forgotten-grasslands-of-the-south-natural-history-and-conservation-9781597264891","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}