CORVALLIS - Western ecologists, land managers, botanists and range will welcome a new book, "Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds," just published by the Oregon State University Press.
The book, written by regional experts and edited by Roger L. Sheley and Janet K. Petroff, covers rangeland weed biology, ecology and management in the western half of the United States, including detailed information about 29 of the west's most noxious weeds.
The first section of the 438-page book deals with the theory, concepts and principles of rangeland weed management, including: the ecological and economic impacts of major western weeds; mapping and surveying for weeds; planning for control and the costs and benefits of weed management programs; integrated management strategies, including prevention, early detection and control of small infestations; integrating grazing, biological control and chemical control strategies; and revegetating rangelands.
The second part of the book discusses the biology and management techniques for individual species of noxious weeds. Each species or group of species is discussed in detail in its own chapter by an expert on the species. The book encompasses weeds commonly found in the area spanning from North Dakota to Oregon, and from California to Kansas.
Species discussed in depth include the weedy thistles, cheat grass, tansy ragwort, poison hemlock and purple loosestrife, as well as yellow star thistle, toadflaxes, spotted knapweed and diffuse knapweed. Distribution maps in each chapter show the known ranges of each weed.
To order a copy of "Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds," (paperback $32.95), contact OSU Press' book distributor: University of Arizona Press, 1230 N. Park Av., Suite 102, Tucson, AZ 85719. Or order by phone: 1-800-426-3797 or via secure e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org.
Shipping charge is $3 for the first book, $1 for each additional copy.