Description
Book SynopsisThere is growing concern over the conservation and management of European wet grasslands. The maintenance of the European wet grassland landscape, including floodplain meadows and coastal grazing marshes or pastures, through traditional low-intensity farming has conserved a habit supporting internationally important plant and animal communities, including many rare species. However,land use changes such as flood defence, land drainage, agricultural intensification and neglect have caused a considerable reduction in the extent and biodiversity of European wet grasslands. The international importance of the habitat for biodiversity conservation has recently been recognised with its inclusion in the European Union Habitats and Species Directive and the Convention on Biological Diversity fostered by the United Nations. This volume thoroughly examines European perspectives of wet grassland ecology in order to encourage an integrated approach to contemporary issues. Important topics covered
Trade Review"...well written and edited and is an interesting and useful publication." --Wildfowl Wetlands, November 2000 "...a valuable contribution to the understanding of wet grassland ecology and to knowledge necessary for the conservation of this important semi-natural habitat." --Flora, No. 195, 2000
Table of ContentsPartial table of contents:
Wet Grasslands: A European Perspective (C. Joyce P. Wade).
STATUS.
The Conservation of Lowland Wet Grassland in England (R. JeffersonP. Grice).
The Ecology of Floodplain Grasslands in Estonia (L. Truus A.Tnisson).
BIODIVERSITY.
The Formation, Vegetation and Management of Sea-Shore Grasslands inWest Estonia (E. Puurmann U. Ratas).
The Important Habitats and Characteristic Rare Invertebrates ofLowland Wet Grassland in England (M. Drake).
MANAGEMENT.
Dynamics of Plant Litter in Riparian Meadows: Setting a Referencefor Management (S. Xiong C. Nilsson).
Managing Water for Wetland Ecosystems: A Case Study (A. ArmstrongS. Rose).
RESTORATION.
Residual Effects of Phosphorus Fertilization on the Restoration ofFloristic Diversity to Wet Grassland (J. Tallowin, et al.).
Restoration of a Target Wet Grassland Community on Ex-Arable Land(S. Manchester, et al.).
Glossary.
Vascular Plant Nomenclature.
Index.
