Ecology and Economics of the Great Plains (Our Sustainable Future, V. 10)

Rating:
Summary: This book illuminates issues of extraordinary importance
Review: Daniel Licht explains why it is in the nation's best interest to establish what he calls grassland "reserves" in most of the thirteen states of the grasslands biome. Such reserves--he suggests ten--must be landscape scale. His range from 400 to over 8,000 square miles. These reserves may be the only way to assure the long term survival of many grasslands species of wildlife but biodiversity is not their only rationale. They would reduce wasteful farm subsidies, relieve pressures on scarce water resources, provide tourism-based employment in areas suffering stagnant economies, and stabilize human populations in grassland counties with fewer humans now than before European settlement. Besides, the prairie grasslands biome was once the continent's largest ecosystem. Now it is the smallest. Grassland reserves, Licht argues, may well be the highest, best, and most productive use for this land. His book is compelling and should be read carefully by all who have an interest in the environment in general, and the prairie grasslands in particular. Besides, we need vast prairies for their mysterious value in preserving wildness. Licht quotes Leopoldo's famous observation about how relegating grizzly bears to Alaska is "like relegating happiness to heaven; one may never get there." The vast midlands of our country are nearby and we need some nearby wildness to restore human balance along with biodiversity. And we can reduce federal subsidies for excess farm capacity at the same time. This should be a winning idea. Read this book and then spread his ideas across the political landscape like a prairie wildfire.

Rating:
Summary: informative & well-written
Review: Daniel Licht explains why it is in the nation's best interest to establish what he calls grassland "reserves" in most of the thirteen states of the grasslands biome. Such reserves--he suggests ten--must be landscape scale. His range from 400 to over 8,000 square miles. These reserves may be the only way to assure the long term survival of many grasslands species of wildlife but biodiversity is not their only rationale. They would reduce wasteful farm subsidies, relieve pressures on scarce water resources, provide tourism-based employment in areas suffering stagnant economies, and stabilize human populations in grassland counties with fewer humans now than before European settlement. Besides, the prairie grasslands biome was once the continent's largest ecosystem. Now it is the smallest. Grassland reserves, Licht argues, may well be the highest, best, and most productive use for this land. His book is compelling and should be read carefully by all who have an interest in the environment in general, and the prairie grasslands in particular. Besides, we need vast prairies for their mysterious value in preserving wildness. Licht quotes Leopoldo's famous observation about how relegating grizzly bears to Alaska is "like relegating happiness to heaven; one may never get there." The vast midlands of our country are nearby and we need some nearby wildness to restore human balance along with biodiversity. And we can reduce federal subsidies for excess farm capacity at the same time. This should be a winning idea. Read this book and then spread his ideas across the political landscape like a prairie wildfire.

Rating:
Summary: This is a very important book.
Review: I came across this book researching the economic future of my hometown in western North Dakota. There has been a noticeable deterioration in the economy of this region. Grain farmers, ranchers, and related businesses are stuggling. Many people have moved or are thinking about it. Dan Licht's book identifies economic trends and environmental factors which predict historic changes for this region. It should be required reading for community leaders.

Rating:
Summary: informative & well-written
Review: This book discusses the ecology & conservation needs of several threatened & endangered "keystone" species of the plains, and a plan to set aside large landscape-scale nature preserves to protect them. Though the author is from the northern plains, he seems well-traveled and informed on conservation issues here in Oklahoma, as well as other states in the region. I found the book very informative, esp. the chapters dealing with federal farm programs. While I disagree with the author on several points, I think the book proves that landscape-scale conservation of the North American Prairies is economically feasible. I would recommend this book to anyone working in the conservation field in the plains states.