Routledge Handbook of Grasslands

This comprehensive handbook represents a definitive state of the art overview of grasslands from multiple, interdisciplinary and global perspectives. Despite the real and intrinsic values that grasslands offer, they are globally subject to fragmentation, habitat and species loss, and they are increasingly threatened by climate change. From a human societal perspective, grasslands are central to much of our culture and represent areas where agriculture first arose. The Routledge Handbook of Grasslands brings together an interdisciplinary team of global authors to present a much needed and vitally important overview of the new and ongoing debates around the values of and threats to grasslands. Reflecting the broad range of issues, debates and threats, the handbook is divided into five parts: Part I: Deep Roots, Dynamic Futures: Understanding the Science of Grasslands Part II: Living Complexity: Grassland Function, Biodiversity, and Renewal Part III: Working Landscapes: Innovation and Tradition in Grassland Stewardship Part IV: Social-Ecological Ties: Grassland Services, Justice, and Governance Part V: Landscapes of Meaning: Cultural and Creative Perspectives on Grasslands Drawing on the experience of researchers, practitioners and managers, the handbook is the only grassland-oriented text to include social, economic, policy, and cultural value dimensions of grasslands, as well as an up-to-date coverage of the agronomy and ecology of these environments. The handbook concludes with a forward-thinking chapter which discusses the future of grasslands, further directions, threats and innovations. The Routledge Handbook of Grasslands is essential reading for students and scholars of grassland ecology, management and conservation as well as policy and management practitioners involved in grassland management and governance, as well as natural resources more broadly.