Natural grasslands: introduction and western hemisphere.

Preface. List of Contributers. Section I. The Nature of Grassland 1. Approach and generalizations (R.T. Coupland). 2. Grassland climate (E.A. Ripley). 3. Grassland soils (D.F. Acton). 4. Water flow (E.A. Ripley). 5. Primary productivity (R.E. Redmann). 6. Micro-organisms (B. Ulehlova). 7. Decomposition as a process in natural grasslands (J.F. Dormaar). 8. Nutrient Cycling (F.E. Clark, R.G. Woodmansee). Section II. Grasslands of North America 9. Overview of the grasslands of North America (R.T. Coupland). 10. Mixed prairie (R.T. Coupland). 11. Short-grass steppe (W.K. Lauenroth, D.G. Milchunas). 12. Tall-grass prairie (C.L. Kucera). 13. Coastal prairie (F.E. Smeins, D.D. Diamond, C.W. Hanselka). 14. Fescue prairie (R.T. Coupland). 15. Palouse prairie (R. Daubenmire). 16. California prairie (H.F. Heady et al.). 17. Desert grassland (E.M. Schmutz et al.). Section III. Grasslands of South America 18. Overview of South American grasslands (R.T. Coupland). 19. Rio de Plata grasslands (A. Soriano with sections by R.J.C. Leon et al.). Systematic List of Genera. Author Index. Systematic Index. General Index.