During the last 150 years, two species of mesquite trees in the Southwestern United States have become increasingly common in what formerly was desert grassland. These trees have spread from nearby watercourses onto relatively xeric upland areas, decreasing rangeland grass production. Management attempts to limit or reverse this spread have been largely unsuccessful. This paper reviews studies regarding mesquite natural history and management strategies, emphasizing studies published during the past decade. Mesquite possess a deep root system and are capable of fixing atmospheric N, rendering them capable of accessing resources unavailable to other plants in open rangeland. Their seeds, which remain viable for decades, have a hard exocarp and require scarification before germination. Consumption by cattle provides a means of scarification and seed dispersal, and is a major factor contributing to the spread of mesquite in open rangelands. Increases in atmospheric CO2 and winter precipitation during the past century also contribute to enhanced seed germination. Removal techniques have included herbicides, prescribed burning, grazing reduction, and mechanical removal. For increased effectiveness of these techniques, management goals must be clearly articulated; these goals include complete removal, no removal, and limited removal. Of these, limited removal appears the most feasible, using an initial herbicide application followed by periodic prescribed burning.

The introductory course in natural resources is broader and more diverse than ever. Today's students need to know how to manage forest, wildlife, watershed, and range resources in a variety of environments and serving the needs of myriad stakeholders. To that end, Chad Dawson has built on the foundation established by him and the late John Hendee to bring Introduction to Forests and Renewable Resources thoroughly up to date. The Ninth Edition has been reorganized to better address content—for example, policy and the differences between managing federal, state, and private land—that applies to all resources. While forests continue to be emphasized, more coverage is provided to other resources and to achieving management goals for multiple resources when considering topics like fire and recreation.

For 75 years, few textbooks have served a topic as well as Introduction to Forests and Renewable Resources. Widely recognized for its comprehensive yet engaging coverage, this major revision provides an outstanding, up to date overview of management issues, conservation policies and practices related to forests and renewable resources, and an authoritative perspective on how these topics are evolving. New directions are covered, including: green certification of forest management and wood products; improved harvest practices in response to public concerns; carbon sequestration and ecological services as important forest yields; ecosystem restoration and resilience as management responds to concerns about global warming; and more. Well-illustrated with new examples, case studies and abundant photos, this eighth edition describes the importance and history of forests, evolution of policy, North American distribution of forests, and moves on to describe forest health strategies to combat insects, disease, damage from mammals, and fire. Ecological principles are explained as basis for forest management, with chapters on management of the associated resources of wildlife, watersheds and streams, range resources, outdoor recreation and wilderness. Market concerns and technology are embraced in chapters on economics, measurement and analysis, harvesting, and forest products. Concluding chapters describe management of forests and renewable resources by the federal government, by states, by private land owners, and in urban areas and communities. For forestry, natural resource, and environmental science students, involved citizens and resource users and professionals, this book is your reference and guide to forests and renewable resources.