Implications for Ecosystem and Natural Resources Management

Woody plant encroachment has been and continues to be a major problem in grasslands and savannas worldwide (e.g., Grossman and Gandar, 1989). Because of its direct effects on livestock production. 

Woody plant encroachment has been widespread in grassland and savanna ecosystems over the past century. This phenomenon jeopardizes grassland biodiversity and threatens the sustainability of pastoral, subsistence and commercial livestock grazing. As such, it may adversely impact 20% of the world s population. Although woody plant expansion has long been a concern of land managers 

NASA Graduate Student Research Program, DOE-NIGEC (DE-F03-90ER61010), USDA-NRICGP (96-00842), and the Texas ATRP (999902126). 

Abrams, M. D. (1986). Historical development of gallery forests in northeast Kansas. Vegetatio 65, 29-37. 

Acocks, J. P. H. (1964). Karroo vegetation in relation to the development of deserts. In Ecological Studies of Southern Africa (D. H. S. Davis, Ed.), pp. 100-112. Dr. Junk Publishers, The Hague. 

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