Prairies are among the most severely degraded ecosystems on the North American continent, with virtually no original prairie land extant in a pristine state. Because of the amount and severity of environmental damage visited upon them, prairies have become a proving ground for the fledgling craft of ecological restoration.The restoration of ecosystems is a practical science, with little theoretical knowledge available to guide the work of practitioners. Information is acquired primarily through an arduous process of trial and error, and the need for sharing information is immense. "The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook" is thus an essential contribution to the literature.The book is a hands-on manual that provides a detailed account of what has been learned about the art and science of prairie restoration and the application of that knowledge to restoration projects throughout the world. Chapters provide guidance on all aspects of the restoration process, from conceptualization and planning, to execution and monitoring. Chapters cover: conserving biodiversity restoring populations of rare plants plowing and seeding obtaining and processing seeds conducting burns controlling invasive plants animal populations monitoring vegetation and more Other resources include a key to restoration options that provides detailed instructions for specific types of projects and a comprehensive glossary of restoration terms. Appendixes present hard-to-find data on plants and animals of the prairies, seed collection dates, propagation methods, sources of seeds and equipment, and more."The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook" is a state-of-the-art compendium that can serve a vital role as a sort of "parts catalogand repair manual" for the tallgrass prairies and oak openings of the Midwest. Written by those whose primary work is actually the making of prairies, it explores a myriad of restoration philosophies and techniques and is an essential resource for anyone working to nurture our once-vibrant native landscapes to a state of health.

Product Description: Flowing Through Time: A literary perusal of the history and impact of one of the world's premier hydraulic teaching and research institutions, and an examination of our approach to water as a resource.

Product Description: "Coffee table" book published in 1996 in conjunction with Iowa's sesquicentennial celebration of statehood. Profusely illustrated- primarily with contemporary color photograghy and embellished by selected historic photographs. The text, consisting of essays by five prominant Iowa writers, captures the spirit and direction of the people of Iowa...read more

Product Description: Not since the early nineteenth century, when George Catlin and Karl Bodmer thoroughly sketched the area, have the rough-textured Loess Hills of western Iowa been artistically interpreted with any intensity. Now, inspired by this rugged landscape of steep-sided ridges and bluffs, Land of the Fragile Giants offers a collaboration of contemporary artists, scientists, and humanists all creating their interpretations of today's Hills...read more

Studies the ecology of tropical rain forests, or jungles, and the vital role of their water, air, plant, and animal resources in preserving the global environmental balance. Also describes how easily man's activities can endanger or upset this fragile environment.Studies tropical rain forests and their vital role in preserving environmental balance

Studies the ecology of tropical rain forests, or jungles, and the vital role of their water, air, plant, and animal resources in preserving the global environmental balance. Also describes how easily man's activities can endanger or upset this fragile environment.Studies the ecology of tropical rain forests and the vital role of their water, air, plant, and animal resources in preserving the global environmental balance (view table of contents)

Product Description: The Loess Hills lie in a narrow band just east of the Missouri River and define most of the western boundary of Iowa. This is the natural history of these hills of wind-deposited silt. Some 100 illustrations (eight color and 60 b&w photos) enhance the text...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)