Among the plant species of the Great Basin rangeland, the Purshia - ancient members of the rose family evolved to survive the aridity and temperature extremes of this harsh region - are one of the most important. In this first book-length study of this key plant species, range scientists James A. Young and Charlie D. Clements offer a comprehensive examination of the biology of the Purshias and their significant role in the ecology of the Great Basin. The authors' discussion is both thorough and broad in scope. They cover the evolution and probable origins of the Purshias (antelope bitterbrush, desert bitterbrush, and cliffrose); the history of their recognition as an important component of the rangeland forage supply for both wild and domesticated animals; the characteristics of the various Purshia plant communities; the ecophysiology of the species, including seed production and the effects of wildfire; the physiology of seeds, the process of germination, and procedures for artificially seeding Purshia to replace natural populations depleted by overgrazing or wildfires; the role of granivores (seed-eating animals, birds, and insects) in the dispersal of Purshia; the role of Purshi

Purshia: The Wild And Bitter Roses

History

James A. Young

Charlie D. Clements

Americas

University of Nevada Press

<p>First published in 1985, Cattle in the Cold Desert has deservedly become a classic in the environmental history of the Great Basin, brilliantly combining a lively account of the development of the Great Basin grazing industry with a detailed scientific discussion of the ecology of its sagebrush/grassland plant communities. The volume traces the history of while settlement in the Great Basin from about 1860, along with the arrival of herds of cattle and sheep to exploit the forage resources of a pristine environment and, through the history of John Sparks, a pioneer cattleman, illustrates how the herdsmen interacted with the sagebrush/grasslands of the cold desert West. As the story unfolds on two levels - that of the herdsmen adapting their livelihood to the challenging conditions of the Great Basin's scanty forage, aridity, and fierce winters, and that of the fragile ecology of the desert plant communities responding to the presence of huge herds of livestock - we see the results of a grand experiment initiated by men willing to venture beyond the limits of accepted environmental potential to settle the Great Basin, as well as the often ruinous consequences of the introduction of</p>

Cattle In The Cold Desert, Expanded Edition

Business & Money

B. Abbott Sparks

Economics

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by James A. Young. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by James A. Young