Preface

Grasses and grassland are tools for an integral ecology. Putting this science in the category of well-being is still relevant today. Whether grasses and grassland can meet the present and future challenges requires an update on empirical and scientific achievements and the life quality on earth.

Environmental integration into politics has led to experts and decision-makers facing (1) problem complexity, (2) risk invisibility, and (3) strong future uncertainties. In light of these certainties on which to base decision-maker's actions, research is needed on social challenges regarding environmental crises.

This book project has been initiated by IntechOpen. It is indeed a privilege to have this book published. An array of specialists was invited to contribute seven chapters.

The present volume therefore shows how grasses and grassland can deal with life issues and meet societal expectations: food, environmental, ecological, medicinal, energy, economic, etc. These issues require representation because of environmental changes and their solutions need to be assessed. However, this decision-making process must be undertaken in a context of high complexity and uncertainty.

Grasses and grassland are multifunctional for society, expressing a great diversity of flora and fauna, sustainably managed by grazing, and adapted to the objectives of preserving and restoring diversity, which are ecological and agronomic issues.

By storing carbon and other key nutrients in soils, grasses and grassland provide biological feedstock for developing agricultural and associated human societies feeding humans, supporting domestic livestock production for human use, and using for biofuel production.

Moreover, grasslands are known for developing and testing ecological theories for assessing the impacts of global change, including responses to chronic nitrogen deposition, elevated CO2 concentrations, and climate change. These include the most threatened ecosystems, such as the North American tall grass prairies. Conserving or restoring these ecosystems will require a strong ecological knowledge base.

In this context, this book aims to provide the reader with a better understanding of the achievements of grasses and grassland, values, and the response to management factors, including grazing, fires, pesticides, fertilization, and associated functional consequences using as models of study: (1) degradation of soil vegetation and ecosystems; (2) pastoral fires; (3) pastoral use of crops and residues; (4) soil–plant–atmosphere continuum; and (5) fodder cropping sustainability.

Varied perspectives on a common interest—the future of grasses and grassland science—reinforce the book's imitative and dominant subject matter. Progress in agronomy, ecology, quality, evaluation, and applications is highlighted with new directions for future research and development being explored.

**Chapter 1**

**1. Introduction**

*Valentin Missiakô Kindomihou*

steadily decreasing for many years.

**2. Some general points**

**1**

**2.1 What is "Grasses and Grassland"?**

Introductory Chapter: Milestones

in *Grasses and Grassland* Research

In order to understand the significance of changes that have occurred in *Grasses and Grassland* Research and utilization, a short summary of the state of knowledge is required. The purpose of this chapter will be to briefly describe the milestones in *Grasses and Grassland* Research that have occurred. *Grasses and Grassland* are key links in biological resources. They are the sources of many agricultural productions, livestock systems, and environmental issues with positive and recognized impacts on water quality, biodiversity, and landscapes. However, their acreages have been

Otherwise, if the livestock structures trend is accused, there is also the lack of knowledge of technicians about the potential of these areas so sensitive to climatic hazards, unproductive, and difficult to be managed. For example, securing fodder systems in organic ruminants farming remain questionable facing these plagues. *Grassland* would interest such systems by making them productive, stable, inputefficient, and environmentally friendly and guarantee good technological performance. In addition, the complexity of understanding the functioning of *Grassland* covers requires synergetic interdisciplinary skills (phytosociology, agronomy, animal technologies, etc.). Optimizing knowledge of *Grasses and Grassland* at scales of production systems should help conceiving self-sufficient, resilient, and sustainable

In order to improve knowledge on these issues, this chapter aims to provide scientists, students, technicians, decision-makers, and other development actors with benchmarks for the diagnosis and management of these resources and ecosystem. Topics which were discussed specifically include properties, synthesis, and some applications of *Grasses and Grassland*. Ultimately, what is the contribution of

A "*Property*" is either (a) an original trait, concept, area of research leading to a significant advance in understanding; or (b) a research review acting as a base for further study and development. A "*Synthesis*" is a physical milestone or the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds, or by the degradation of a complex compound (www.merriam-webster.com); while "*Application*" is a use to which *Grasses and Grassland* and components are put.

*Grasses* refers to the monocotyledonous green plant, mostly world widespread, rustic over times and circumstances. The Poaceae family as "real *Grasses*" includes

livestock systems, which would meet society's new expectations.

*Grasses and Grassland* to the sustainable well-being of the living?

Apart from the introductory chapter, most chapters are co-written by scientists from various institutions and specialties. Thus, different perspectives on a particular subject are highlighted from one chapter to another throughout the book. In addition, areas where more information is needed and where new research efforts should focus are identified.

Finally, I extended my gratitude to all the authors, sponsors, and funders whose efforts and financial support have helped to make this book project a reality. Special thanks to my mentor Prof. Brice Sinsin (PhD Agronomy), agro-pastoralist, forester and biodiversity conservator, Chair of Tropical Ecology (Plants and Animals), Head of the Laboratory of Applied Ecology of the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences (UAC), and former Rector of the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC-Benin Republic) for his many investments in building and promoting excellence in tropical science; Roland Holou (PhD.Agronomy), agro-pastoralist and DiasporaEngager, CEO (Georgia, USA); and Ozias Hounkpatin (PhD Agronomy) of the University of Uppsala (Sweden) for their collaboration. The Beninese Association for Pastoralism (ABEPA), International Society for Silicon in Agriculture (ISSAg), and Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) are also acknowledged as training networks. Bishop Barthelemy Tiando Bona and pastors Arnaud Assogba and Mathias Doukpo of the Assemblies of God Churches offered supportive prayers. My spouse Irma Cale Pascaline Kpakpo-Kindomihou (BSc Accounting) and my child Kabôd Gnonannon Kindomihou offered a patient working atmosphere.

Last but not least, I wish to express my deepest appreciation to the IntechOpen staff, i.e. Iva Simčić, Ivana Spajić, Edi Lipović, Dan Brooker, Sara Uhač, Adrian Assad De Marco, Chris Felder, Alex Lazinica (PhD), Vedran Kordić, and Anke Beck (PhD), CEO, for their timely effort in the publication of this book.

> **Valentin Missiakô Kindomihou (Ph.D. Agronomy)** University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Republic, Western Africa

#### **Chapter 1**
