Restoration in the Sonoran Desert of California

Selected Abstracts Describes the nature and the wildlife of the forest wilderness of the Soviet Far East, in the Sikhote Alin Mountain Range of Ussuria. -M, Dean

Restoration ecology 91L/00062 An assessment of grass succession, utilization and development in the arid zone M . D . Kemick, in: Reproductive versatility in the grasses, ed G.P. Chapman, (Cambridge University Press), 1990, pp 154-181. Against a background of global food imbalances, deserfification and depletion of grazing lands, the author reviews progress in developing grasses for arid and semi-arid envtronments, with emphasis on grasses appropriate for disturbed ground and difficult soils. The role played by grasses in maintaining ecological stability is stressed. Future priorities include the need to assess the extent of genetic erosion, assumed to be increasing with rangeland degradation and desertification; collection and screening of ecotypes suitable for land stabilisation prograrnmes; development of awnless cultivars of Aristida, Stipagrostis and Stipa to allow mechanical handling of the seeds; and identification and improvement of native grasses for reseeding saline and impoverished soils. -P.J.Jarvis 91L/00063 Restoration in the Sonoran Desert of California D. A. Bainbridge & R. A. Virginia, Restoration & Management Notes, 8 (1), 1990, pp 3 - 14. Provides an outline of the nature of the desert environment, aying particular attention to soil and water, the lack of erbivory and the impact of disturbance on desert sites. Samples of soil, leaves and roots axe used to assess the effects of disturbance such as bulldozing. The importance of active intervention in restoration of desert environments is stressed. Strategies that recreate or mimic natural conditions axe the best for the restoration of the entire ecosystem. -S.J,Yates

~

83

91L/00064 Restoration of bottomland hardwood forests in the Lower Mississippi Valley C . J . Newling, Restoration & Management Notes, 8(1), 1990, pp 23-28. Widespread abandonment of farmland has created a laboratory for the development of techniques for ecosystem restoration, here directed towards row planting types of reforestation. -S.J.Yates 91L/00065 Greening South Africa: I. Asbestos tailings A. Been, Restoration & Management Notes, 8(1), 1990, pp 14-22. Focuses on the problems of Bewaarkloof, Penge and Msauli. Experimental work carried out in the past 4yr has been beneficial in restoring land covered by mine tailings. -S.J.Yates 91L/00066 Regeneration of tree cover after aerial seeding in the sand dune ecosystem of arid region K. A. Shankamarayan, in: Conservation in developing

countries. Proc. centenary seminar, Bombay Natural History Society, ed J.C. Daniel & J.S. Serrao, (Oxford University Press/BNHS), 1990, pp 553-564. Sardarpura (300ha) and Motigarh (400ha) on the left bank of the Rajasthan canal were selected and fenced. -from Author 92L/00067 Turfgrass management. Third edition A. J. Turgeon, (Prentice Hall), ISSN (hardback) 0 13 933425 4 price US$70.10(£57.80), 1991, 418, index. Turfgrasses form a more or less continuous ground cover that persists under regular mowing and tram.p.ling. Utility turfgrasses are primarily planted for soil stabilization, and may absorb toxic emissions and trap environmental dust. Lawn turfs are decorative. Sports turfgrasses must withstand the effects of soil compaction and intense wear. This text describes mrfgrass growth and development; species appropriate for different uses; the turfgrass environment; cultural practices; weed, pest and disease management; propagauon systems; and cultural systems. -P.J.Jarvis