The Ecology of Browsing and Grazing

by Iain J. Gordon, Herbert H.T. Prins

Overview

Extensive grazing and browsing by domestic and wild herbivores shape the vegetation composition, structure and dynamics of many terrestrial ecosystems. This volume investigates how large herbivores not only influence the structure and distribution of the vegetation, but also affect nutrient flows and the responses of associated fauna. The mechanisms and processes underlying the herbivores' behaviour, distribution, movement and direct impact on the vegetation, and the dynamics of nutrients, plant species, and vegetation composition in terrestrial ecosystems are discussed in detail. It is shown that an understanding of plant/animal interactions can provide practical advice on the management of large herbivores to integrate production and conservation in terrestrial systems, particularly in the face of environmental and climate change.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783540724216
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	11/20/2007
Series:	Ecological Studies , #195
Edition description:	2008
Pages:	330
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.04(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction: Grazers and Browsers in a Changing World.- An Evolutionary History of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates.- The Morphophysiological Adaptations of Browsing and Grazing Mammals.- Nutritional Ecology of Grazing and Browsing Ruminants.- The Comparative Feeding Bahaviour of Large Browsing and Grazing Herbivores.- The Comparative Population Dynamics of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates.- Species Diversity of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates: Consequences for the Structure and Abundance of Secondary Production.- Impacts of Grazing and Browsing by Large Herbivores on Soils and Soil Biological Properties.- Plant Traits, Browsing and Gazing Herbivores, and Vegetation Dynamics.- The Impact of Browsing and Grazing Herbivores on Biodiversity.- Managing Large Herbivores in Theory and Practice: Is the Game the Same for Browsing and Grazing Species.- Grazers and Browsers in a Changing World: Conclusions.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

"A detailed, thoroughly cited account on the ecology of large mammalian browsers and grazers. … the editors predict what may happen to vegetation systems in light of anthropogenic changes on the landscape, and how browsers and grazers may likely respond to these changes. They stress collaboration between managers and scientists in the decision-making process for managing these large herbivores. Summing Up: Recommended. Researchers and professionals." (E. H. Rave, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (10), June, 2008)

“It covers a very wide range of biological issues and amalgamates animal morphology and physiology with herbivore and rangeland ecology in an … evolutionary view. … The Ecology of Browsing and Grazing is a many-layered textbook and a good example of a well-executed interdisciplinary approach, imperative to combat the threats of climate change. It can be highly recommended for students, all kinds of ecologists and members of administrative bodies in game parks, conservation areas and livesk production systems.” (Anne Zemmrich, Basic and Applied Ecology, Vol. 11, 2010) “Der vorliegende Band befasst sich mit der Ökologie wildlebender aber auch domestizierter laub- und grasfressender Herbivoren. Insgesamt 22 der weltweit führenden Experten auf ihren jeweiligen Gebieten zeichnen für die 12 Kapitel des Bandes verantwortlich. Der Band stellt ein aktuelles und (bis auf kleinere Teilgebiete) umfassendes Referenzwerk zu zahlreichen Fragen der Ökologie laub- und grasfressender Herbivoren dar, die nicht nur für Rezent- sondern in vielen Teilen auch für Palaökologen von Bedeutung sind.“ (D. UHL, in: Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie Teil II, 2010, issue 1/2, S. 196 f.)

From the Publisher