Preface

We are in an era of changing climate, global warming, disturbed rainfall patterns, droughts, and floods, all of which are major stresses on food production systems. This situation demands devising and implementing novel solutions to boost productivity and farmers' profitability as well as restore and preserve terrestrial ecosystems. *Grasses and Grassland - New Perspectives* discusses grassland management, utilization, and restoration under the changing climate. It also includes vital information on potential uses and future perspectives of many grass species.

This book includes two sections. The first section, "Trends in Grassland Management," presents fundamental concepts, recent knowledge, and advancements in the management, economic utilization, effective restoration, and viable preservation of grasslands. The second section, "Underutilized Grasses Production Potential," discusses grasses that have remained neglected despite their potential to ensure food security for the skyrocketing population under changing climate and global warming.

Chapter 1 provides fundamental knowledge pertaining to the concepts of grasslands (prairie, savanna, steppe, pampas, etc.), different types of grasslands (natural, semi-natural or improved, tropical, temperate, tundra, montane, xeric, and flooded grasslands) and elaborates different ecosystem services (processes, conditions, and outputs) provided by grasslands. These services include being a source of feed for ruminants, serving as habitats for ensuring species biodiversity, mitigating drought, flood, and soil erosion, and much more. It elucidates the reasons why grasslands need to be developed to support ecosystem services provided by fragile existing grasslands. Finally, the chapter suggests developing grasslands for generating a green economy via the adoption of integrated approaches encompassing integrated fertilization regimes, over-seeding of leguminous plant species, adjusting herbage allowance, manipulating stocking rate, and monitoring using global positioning systems and infrared spectroscopy.

Chapter 2 discusses ecosystem services provided by grasslands in terms of generating livestock-rearing opportunities and thereby increasing the livelihood of stakeholders. It highlights grassland ecosystem services with respect to sustaining the wildlife in Tanzania. It also suggests that new research is needed to restore and preserve Tanzanian grasslands.

Chapter 3 examines recent developments in climate change and emerging stresses, especially abiotic stresses like drought, and their role in grass diseases. It provides information on common diseases such as *Xanthomonas* spp. and *Pseudomonas* spp. and their interaction with vectors. The chapter also suggests strategies to break the cycle of vector growth, regrowth, and infestation.

The second section begins with Chapter 4 on the production of underutilized grasses and their potential in temperate and tropical regions. The chapter elaborates on highly debated aspects pertaining to underutilized grasses and neglected grasses and distinguishes those in an explicit manner. Additionally, it highlights

underutilized grasses' potential as food, feed, fuel, energy crops, and medicinal purposes. Lastly, it shares vital information on potential strategies to boost production and applications of underutilized grasses.

• Highlights the importance of grasses for attaining the goals of poverty

• Depicts global diversity by sharing knowledge from a community of

**Muhammad Aamir Iqbal** Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan

alleviation and zero hunger.

international researchers.

Chapter 5 presents information on the potential of miscanthus grass to provide nutritional fiber to monogastric animals. It discusses miscanthus grass in pet feed as well as provides suggestions to improve chicken and pet health by optimizing their feed fiber content.

Chapter 6 discusses the effectiveness of plant nutrition management strategies on grasses productivity in terms of biomass yield. It shows the comparative efficacy of different doses for boosting herbage yield and marginal rate of return.

Chapter 7 examines the ecosystem classification system in Western Utah and the Yukon territory in Canada.

Chapter 8 discusses how to address the forage shortage in semi-arid regions, focusing on the spineless cactus, which is a perennial crop. It also examines the productivity potential of cactus in Brazil and production technology to boost biomass yield in semi-arid conditions.

Finally, Chapter 9 discusses the potential of Sewan grass to be grown as a forage crop in arid regions as well as its production and distribution.

There are not enough words to express due gratitude to Almighty Allah (the sustaining source of kindness) whose mercies and exaltation enabled me to take on the task of serving as editor of this book, which required the utmost commitment and dedication. All wisdom and intellect belong to Him and it was His countless blessings that helped me along the way in compiling this book. All praises and compliments for Prophet Muhammad (O Allah! Send Your Mercy on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Mercy on Abraham and the family of Abraham, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious), Who is ultimate educator and ever-lasting source of knowledge for whole humanity. In addition, I would like to acknowledge the strategically vital and pertinent intellectual support furnished by our mentor Dr. Asif Iqbal and team members, including Dr. Raees Ahmed, Dr. Muhammad Imran, Dr. Junaid Rahim, Dr. Umer Ayaz Aslam Sheikh, Dr. Muhammad Jamil, Mrs. Sadaf Khalid, and Dr. Bilal Ahmad.

Key Features of the book:

