Grasses of the Intermountain Region
Date
2009
Authors
Anderton, Laurel K., editor
Barkworth, Mary E., editor
Intermountain Herbarium, Utah State University, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Grasses are an integral component of almost all terrestrial ecosystems, both natural and artificial. In some areas they are conspicuous, dominating the vegetation over large areas in others, they are easily overlooked, our eyes being drawn first to trees, shrubs, and colorful flowers. Nevertheless, they are, in many respects, the worlds most successful plants, growing from tropical rain forests to arctic tundra, from ocean beaches to freshwater streams and lakes, and from strongly saline to strongly acidic soils. Their success can be attributed to many factors, not least the ability of pooid grasses to grow in cold climates, a remarkable achievement for plants whose ancestors evolved in tropical forests. Other lineages are more conspicuous in warm climates, the andropogonoid grasses that are most abundant in areas with a monsoonal climate, and panicoid grasses that flourish in warm climates with more or less evenly distributed rainfall--Balogh International.
Description
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Rights Access
Access is limited to the Adams State University, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Pueblo, Community College of Denver, Fort Lewis College, Metropolitan State University Denver, Regis University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, University of Wyoming, Utah State University and Western Colorado University communities only.
Subject
Grasses -- Great Basin -- Identification