ISBN-13: 9780415187626 / Angielski / Twarda / 2002 / 268 str.
ISBN-13: 9780415187626 / Angielski / Twarda / 2002 / 268 str.
Changes in agricultural land use, such as increased arable farming and forestation in the last half of the 20th century, have led to a drastic decrease in the amount of grassland and heathland habitat in Britain. Lowland herb-rich grasslands, chalk and limestone grasslands, lowland heaths and limestone pavements have all been affected. Furthermore, the areas that are left are being degraded by the use of fertilizers and herbicides in agriculture and by pollution and climate change. It is important that grassland and heathland ecosystems are understood, so that they can be properly managed and perhaps for lost areas to be restored in the future. This text presents an illustrated and practical guide to the habitat types, flora and fauna of Britain's range of natural and semi-natural grasslands and heaths. The influence of climate, geology and past and present management on habitat extent, species composition and diversity are discussed. Both, historical and current management techniques are considered for this habitat, which has such a wide range of commercial, agricultural, conservation and recreation uses.