Grasses are the most common plants in grasslands, but there are many types, and grasslands are not all the same. The grasslands include prairies, steppes, pampas, savanna, tropical grasslands of South America, Australian grasslands, and upland grasslands. Presenting the geography, geology, climates, and history of grasslands, this volume offers a basic introduction to their development and function. Offering a balanced account of the history and future of these areas, "Grasslands" provides a thorough exploration of a habitat found across the globe in many different forms. Uses for grasslands include cereal farming, livestock farming, cattle ranching, forestry, and biofuel production, some of which threaten the balance of grassland ecosystems. Offering completely current information, "Grasslands" concludes by emphasizing the necessity of conservation and preservation for these threatened areas.