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Part of the Ecological Studies book series (ECOLSTUD, volume 195)
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.
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 livestock 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.)