Grasslands of the World.pdf - Disasters and Conflicts - UNEP

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Grasslands of the world
1964; Axelrod, 1958). Both of these forests contributed to the central grasslands
that probably developed in more recent times (Pliocene and Pleistocene series) as
the forests retreated (Dix, 1964). These vegetational shifts were also accompanied
by climatic shifts, geologic events and changing patterns of herbivore utilization
of these grasslands. Glaciation during the Pleistocene had dramatic influences on
landscapes and vegetation , but the influence on the grasslands is not completely
understood (Dix, 1964; Flint, 1957; Love, 1959).
Current status of grassland research and management
Traditionally, research on grasslands of the Great Plains has been conducted
by the Land Grant Universities. These were established by the Morrill Act
of 1862, whereby one university in each state was designated the Land Grant
University (Holechek, Pieper and Herbel, 2001). The Hatch Act of 1887 and
the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 completed the tripartite focus of the Land Grant
Universities in teaching, research and service (National Research Council,
1996). Each of these universities in the grassland states has been conducting
research into agricultural practices and they have received research support
from federal, state and other grant sources. Departments involved in these
efforts have been those of Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics,
Animal Science and allied disciplines. The Cooperative Extension Service has
served as the link between the research and application by farmers and ranchers
(see Plates 6.20 and 6.21 with examples from Canada). Range research in the
Land Grant Universities has been conducted by researchers attached to other
departments in the main grassland states: with Animal Science in Montana,
Plate 6.20
Plant identification by range management officers on native prairie in the mixed -
grass zone at Big Muddy, Saskatchewan, Canada.
MAE ELSINGER