Following the destruction of 95% of meadows during the twentieth century, there is an urgent need to understand what little unspoiled habitat remains in order to plan the management and restoration of existing sites, as well as re-creating future grassland habitats. Grassland Restoration and Management is a much-needed guide to grassland restoration and management.
Providing a thorough overview of recent research on grassland restoration and its implications for practical grassland restoration and management, it introduces grassland communities and the wildlife they support, including examples of species of conservation concern, and considers the management of semi-natural grassland habitats with particular emphasis on drier grassland habitats.
A variety of management techniques are examined, including soil amendment, cultivation, harvesting and maintenance in creating suitable conditions for the successful restoration of species-rich grasslands.
It is essential reading for conservationists, site owners or managers, practitioners, conservation organizations and students of ecological restoration with an interest in the creation of new grassland habitats, the restoration of semi-natural grassland, as well as the continuing management of semi-natural (unimproved) grassland communities.
1. Grassland character and communities
2. Grassland wildlife
3. Semi-natural dry grassland management
4. Grassland restoration: threats and challenges
5. Opportunities in grassland restoration
6. Plant material for dry grassland restoration
7. Defining success in grassland restoration
References
Species Index
Subject Index
"[...] I cannot recommend this book too highly to anyone coming new to the practical conservation of grasslands in Britain, or who wants to update their knowledge of the research evidence and best practice."
– John Hopkins, BES Bulletin 48(2), July 2017
"[...] This new book is well formatted and there are ample photos and tables to complement the text. The authors successfully pull together the latest research and a wealth of practical advice on the ways to preserve, restore and create natural grasslands. [...] I am certain this latest edition in the ‘Conservation Handbook’ series will be essential reading for land managers and site owners alike. [...]"
– Chris Hewson, BTO book reviews