This book presents edited key papers from the International Symposium on Grassland Ecophysiology and Grazing Ecology held in Curtiba, Brazil in August 1999. It considers how plants within grasslands respond to and are adapted to grazing animals. Contributors are leading authorities from North and South America, Europe and Australasia.

Grassland ecosystems are deeply affected by human activities and need appropriate management to optimize trade-offs between ecosystem functions and services. Until now they have mainly been analyzed as agro-ecosystems for animal production but this book looks beyond the role of grassland as a feeding ground, and evaluates other important processes such as carbon sequestration in soils, greenhouse gas regulation and biodiversity protection. This authoritative volume expertly highlights the need for an immediate balance between agriculture and ecological management for sustainability in the...

Providing a link between theoretical and applied aspects of plant nutrition and agriculture, this book introduces new concepts in plant nutrition. It shows how these can be applied in order to assess the nitrogen status in crops and to improve nitrogen nutrition through optimized N fertilization management. In this way economic benefits can be obtained, while at the same time preventing detrimental effects on the environment. The main agricultural crops - grasses, wheat, barley, Durum wheat, maize, sorghum, grain legumes and potatoes - are covered. The book will be an invaluable source for...