While grasslands face a number of challenges, such as land-use competition and the impact of climate change, there is a growing recognition of the critical role they play in supporting the transition to more resilient, sustainable and circular agricultural systems.
Advances in temperate grassland science and management reviews the wealth of research addressing these challenges and opportunities. The book highlights the potential of grasslands to deliver multiple benefits to farmers and society at large, illustrated through practical regional case studies on grassland management.
This book builds on a successful earlier volume by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing: Improving grassland and pasture management in temperate agriculture (2018).
Part 1 The role of grasslands in agricultural systems 1.The societal role of grasslands in agriculture: Nick van Eekeren, Louis Bolk Institute, The Netherlands; 2.Assessing the impact of climate change on grasslands: Martin Lukac, University of Reading, UK; 3.Assessing the role of grasslands in greenhouse gas (GHG) production and mitigation: Tommy Boland, University College Dublin, Ireland; 4.The role of grasslands in mixed farming/crop-livestock systems: Friedhelm Taube, Christian Albrechts University Of Kiel, Germany; Part 2 Grassland dynamics 5.Advances in understanding traits/genetics of grassland species: Odd Arne Rognli, Norwegian Unviersity of Life Sciences, Norway; 6.Advances in understanding plant-soil-animal interactions in grasslands: Lynn Sollenberger, University of Florida, USA; Part 3 Grassland management 7.Advances in grazing management: Michael O'Donovan, Teagasc, Ireland; 8.The use of precision technologies in grassland management: Laurence Shalloo, Teagasc, Ireland; 9.From data collection to decision support for sustainable pasture management: Magali Jouven, L’Institute Agro Montpellier, France; 10.Advances in managing grassland weeds: Maria-Teresa Sebastia, CTFC/University of Lleida, Spain; Part 4 Grasslands, grazing and animal nutrition: Effects on health and product quality 11.Contribution of forages for high nutrient use efficiency in ruminant feeding: Martin Gierus, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria; 12.The effects of pasture grazing on milk quality: Anjo Elgersma, Ghent University, Belgium; 13.The effects of pasture grazing on beef quality: Pablo Gregorini, Lincoln University, New Zealand; 14.Grasslands and One Health: Frédéric Leroy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium; Part 5 Development in botanical composition of grasslands 15.Improving biodiversity in grassland systems: Irina Herzon, University of Helsinki, Finland; James M. Bullock, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, The UK; Jean-Yves Humbert and Raphaël Arlettaz, University of Bern, Switzerland; Péter Török, University of Debrecen, Hungary; and Karin Stein-Bachinger, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Germany; 16.Designing and developing multi-species swards/herbal leys: Thomas Moloney, DLF, Ireland; 17.The role of plantain (Plantago lanceolata) in reducing nitrogen loss from grazed mixed-species pastures: Ina Pinxterhuis, Dairy NZ, New Zealand; 18.Advances in plant secondary metabolites and endophytes in grasslands: David E. Hume, AgResearch - Grasslands Research Centre, New Zealand; Part 6 Case studies 19.Grasslands in Europe: challenges and solutions: Agnes van den Pol-van Dasselaar; 20.Challenges facing alpine/mountain grasslands: Giovanni Peratoner, Laimburg Institute, Italy; 21.Grasslands in South America: challenges and solutions: Paulo César de Faccio Carvalho, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; 22.Grasslands in New Zealand: challenges and solutions: David Stevens, AgResearch, New Zealand; 23.Conclusion: Agnes van den Pol-van Dasselaar;
Dr Agnes van den Pol-van Dasselaar is Professor of Grasslands and Grazing at Aeres University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands, where she has worked since 2015. Previously, she spent over 20 years at Wageningen University & Research. She is an internationally recognised expert whose research spans grazing, ecosystem services, grass and forage management, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable production systems, with a focus on how farmers’ mindsets and environments shape ecosystem services. She is actively engaged in the European Grassland Federation, serving as Grazing Working Group Chair for 14 years, President, and currently as Federation Secretary and Scientific Advisory Board member. Her leadership bridges fundamental and applied research with on-farm practice, connecting scientists, farmers, advisers, students, and industry in sustainable grassland management.
