This manual pertains to the study of playas in the Great Plains, a critical ecosystem in semi-arid to arid regions of North America. Playas are essential for maintaining biotic diversity, providing habitat for native plants and animals, including migratory birds, and are vital for aquifer recharge. This comprehensive survey synthesizes extensive research to define playas, explore their origin, development, flora, fauna, structure, function, and diversity. It also examines the historical and contemporary human relationship with playas, including threats from agricultural activities and climate change.
The purpose of this manual is to provide a state-of-the-art understanding of Great Plains playa ecology and conservation. It serves as a resource for government agencies, private conservation groups, and concerned citizens, offering a blueprint for the preservation of these unique prairie ecosystems. The content covers the ecological significance, biological components, and conservation challenges associated with playas, drawing upon both original research and published studies to present a thorough analysis.
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.
Author: Smith, Loren M.
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Illustration: N
Language: ENG
Title: Playas of the Great Plains
Pages: 00000 (Encrypted EPUB)
On Sale: 2003-11-01
SKU-13/ISBN: 9780292701779
Category: Nature : Ecology
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.
Author: Smith, Loren M.
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Illustration: N
Language: ENG
Title: Playas of the Great Plains
Pages: 00000 (Encrypted EPUB)
On Sale: 2003-11-01
SKU-13/ISBN: 9780292701779
Category: Nature : Ecology
