"In the grasslands of South Dakota and the northern Great Plains are many hidden treasures. Anywhere in the state--in the east where the stands of grass are elegantly tall and thick, in the central Missouri River section, and in the west where low-growing plants scatter thinly across the landscape--in any month from spring through fall, look closely and you will find plants of unexpected and striking beauty. They are integral parts of our heritage, of our biosystem. In this guide you will find portrait-quality photos and descriptions of many grassland plants. You will learn about their value to grazing animals and consequently to our nation's food supply, their place as food and medicine for American Indians, and their importance as food and habitat for wildlife big and small. You will be amazed at their often overlooked beauty. Step out onto the prairie with this guide and discover these hidden gems of the grasslands for yourself."--Cover

A vast swath of prairie situated between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains, the North American Great Plains extend across ten states in the United States and three provinces in Canada. The dominant vegetation is grass—both the native species that have long thrived here and the cultivated crops such as corn, wheat, and sorghum that are the result of human agricultural activity. This comprehensive guide, written by three grass specialists, is an invaluable tool for identification of the approximately 450 species of grasses that occur on the Great Plains. In each description, the authors cover distribution, habitat, forage value, and toxicity and include a detailed black-and-white illustration of the grass as well as a range map. Intended as a reference for landowners, rangeland specialists, students, state and federal agency professionals, and nongovernment conservation organizations, Grasses of the Great Plains will serve a wide audience of users involved in and dedicated to grassland management.

This comprehensive guide of legumes of the Great Plains includes an in-depth description of 114 species with illustrations and distribution maps. It includes more than one hundred similar species with a description of how each differs from the main species.

A vast swath of prairie situated between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains, the North American Great Plains extend across ten states in the United States and three provinces in Canada. The dominant vegetation is grass—both the native species that have long thrived here and the cultivated crops such as corn, wheat, and sorghum that are the result of human agricultural activity. This comprehensive guide, written by three grass specialists, is an invaluable tool for identification of the approximately 450 species of grasses that occur on the Great Plains. In each description, the authors cover distribution, habitat, forage value, and toxicity and include a detailed black-and-white illustration of the grass as well as a range map. Intended as a reference for landowners, rangeland specialists, students, state and federal agency professionals, and nongovernment conservation organizations, Grasses of the Great Plains will serve a wide audience of users involved in and dedicated to grassland management.

A beautifully rendered reference guide to the Great Plains portion of the famous expedition through the American West highlights the explorer's remarkable encounters with previously undocumented flora and fauna as they moved through the Plains region. Original. (Biology & Natural History)

Geology, physiography and climate. Sistematic treatment. Families vascular plants of South Dakota. Statistical summary. Descriptions of groups.

An illustrated review of the Northern Great Plains that blends natural history and human history “The most complete, in-depth look at Dakota ecosystems and their history. An absolutely fascinating read!”—Gabe Brown, author of Dirt to Soil W. Carter Johnson and Dennis H. Knight describe the natural and human histories of the Northern Great Plains in this comprehensive and handsomely illustrated book. Covering a vast period of time, they move from geological developments millions of years ago and the effects of glaciers to historical and ecological developments in recent centuries and the effects of agriculture. The book ends with a discussion of the future of this region, mediated by climate change, with recommendations on how to balance agriculture and other pressing needs in the twenty-first century. Johnson and Knight bring decades of experience to chapters on the major ecosystems of the Dakotas. Written for readers with varying backgrounds, and with discussions of the Prairie Pothole Region, the Missouri River, grasslands, woodlands, the Black Hills, and rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the book is unique and will become a long-lasting source of information. Readers will appreciate the plentiful photographs and other color illustrations.