The tallgrass restoration handbook : for prairies, savannas, and woodlands /

This excellent manual by acknowledged experts tells how to restore tallgrass prairies, savannas, and woodlands. These ecosystems are described both above and below ground; included are many facets of planning for restoration and how to target restoration to each specific type of community. An important aspect of this book is its explanation of the methods for evaluating degraded communities and practical suggestions on how to nurse them back to health. By using assigned coefficients to reflect a species' importance in high-quality ecosystems, the book shows how floristic quality assessment can be used to measure changes in community quality. Depending on the evaluation of the community, differing techniques of restoration are offered. Chapters are devoted to seeding (collecting dates, making mixes, and treatments); proscribed methods of burning and techniques of weed control; and monitoring, managing, and restoring populations of native insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and bisons. Glossary of terminology; keys to various restoration options; chapter references. Appendixes include common names of tallgrass vascular plants, status, and coefficients of usefulness; scientific names of the plants mentioned; publications that describe goals of restoration for the major communities in each state or regions; and sources of seeds for purchase, equipment needed for the processes of restoration such as burning, seed collection, and planting. An extremely useful work. Undergraduates through professionals. C. S. Dunn; University of North Carolina at Wilmington