For as far into the future as we can see, governments will probably topple, power will continue to exchange hands, the climate will undergo continuous change, and the global economy will ebb and flow like the oceans. But for the world's many diverse countries-whether they be highly industrialized or third world-one thing will always remain constant: the need to solve the planet's pressing soil and water conservation problems, as well as implement effective policies. But why do some policy initiatives succeed while others fail? Soil and Water Conservation Policies and Programs: Successes and Failures addresses this very question. Based on an international conference held in Prague, this book debates the strengths and weaknesses of soil and water conservation initiatives implemented in North America, Europe, and Australia. Soil and water conservation policies in the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, and other countries are examined through the eyes of technical and soil scientists. And the book also addresses specialized topics, such as agricultural pollution abatement in Poland, and private farmers and contemporary conservation subsidy programs in the Czech Republic. With its thorough treatment of the subject matter, Soil and Water Conservation Policies and Programs: Successes and Failures contributes to resolving one of the world's most pressing conservation issues.

In agricultural lands, we should aim for a balance between productivity and conserving native species. We may wish to revegetate selected areas with local flora, or experiment with species from other areas. Species in similar latitudes between east and west, that have been isolated for some considerable time from each other, often have useful but untested properties that can be exploited. In southern Australia, trials in the exchange of species between east and west have shown that non-endemics can flourish, especially some Western Australian ornamentals and salt-tolerant species which have so far been tested in the east. It is important to know their full potential. When considering what are the best species to plant there is a paucity of readily available information to help the land manager select the most suitable species. This Glove Box Guide provides a timely reference to assist people to make better decisions when planning new tree and shrub plantings. It is noted that more than half the species dealt with in this guide are endemic to the region and are important for increasing biodiversity stability.

Encompassing geomorphology, hydrology and agricultural engineering, this provides an interdisciplinary review of a topic important in both Scientific And Practical Terms - With The Specific Aim Of Promoting interaction between modellers, field workers and laboratory experimentalists.

Semi-arid woodlands are an important part of the Australian landscape and they have been the focus for scientific research by CSIRO since the 1960s. This book reviews that research and sets it in a historical perspective. It examines the development of pastoral science, with particular reference to the farming frontier in western New South Wales, as well as research conducted by CSIRO over the past thirty years aimed at helping manage increasing shrub densities while improving productivity. The author discusses past, current and future research directions and looks at how management perceptions and approaches continue to change as understanding of ecological processes and new strategies evolve.