Playas of the Great Plains (Paperback)

Winner, Wildlife Publications Award - Outstanding Book Category, The Wildlife Society, 2004 Texas Tech University President's Book Award, 2005 Shallow wetlands that occur primarily in semi-arid to arid environments, playas are keystone ecosystems in the western Great Plains of North America. Providing irreplaceable habitat for native plants and animals, including migratory birds, they are essential for the maintenance of biotic diversity throughout the region. Playas also serve to recharge the aquifer that supplies much of the water for the Plains states. At the same time, however, large-scale habitat changes have endangered playas across the Great Plains, making urgent the need to understand their ecology and implement effective conservation measures. This book provides a state-of-the-art survey of all that is currently known about Great Plains playa ecology and conservation. Loren Smith synthesizes his own extensive research with other published studies to define playas and characterize their origin, development, flora, fauna, structure, function, and diversity. He also thoroughly explores the human relationship with playas from prehistoric times, when they served as campsites for the Clovis peoples, to today's threats to playa ecosystems from agricultural activities and global climate change. A blueprint for government agencies, private conservation groups, and concerned citizens to save these unique prairie ecosystems concludes this landmark study.

General

Imprint:	University Of Texas Press
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	November 2003
First published:	2003
Authors:	Loren M. Smith
Dimensions:	229 x 152 x 19mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - Trade / Trade
Pages:	275
ISBN-13:	978-0-292-70177-9
Categories:	Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Life sciences: general issues > Ecological science, the Biosphere Books > Earth & environment > Geography > Physical geography > Wetlands, swamps, fens Books > Earth & environment > The environment > Conservation of the environment > Conservation of wildlife & habitats > General Promotions
LSN:	0-292-70177-2
Barcode:	9780292701779

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