Edited by S. G. Reynolds and J. Frame . Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy, and Science Publishers Inc. , Enfield NH 03748, USA, 2005 , $US74 (£40.70), paperback , 539 pp . ISBN: 9251050422 (FAO) and 1578083591 (SPI)

This book focuses on grassland problems and issues, and reviews recent technical advances and prospects for meeting the challenges of livestock production from grasslands in a global context. Over fifty authors, drawn from sixteen countries, have contributed to the twenty-one chapters. Many are leading authorities in their discipline.

The preface reminds us of the consequences of recent and projected world population growth and its implications for future agriculture. The provision of adequate food supplies over the next two decades is likely to require a doubling of production. Higher crop yields and increased animal output from grasslands and rangelands are considered essential if these demands are to be met, but at the same time intensive production must not lead to further environmental degradation and threats to sustainability. These are serious challenges, easily forgotten in many areas of Europe where the immediate problems are of balancing livestock production with local demand, consistent with maintaining rural economies and ecosystems.

A set of key questions is presented as a basis for the text that follows. The book is structured into seven sections which focus on these questions. These relate to the current status of grasslands and germplasm resources, the problems facing pastoralists, the impacts of environmental problems such as future climate change, and the role of technology including biotechnology and remote sensing. Organic methods of production, and of management that ensures sustainability are further considerations, and broader socio-economic issues include questions about extension methods. The role of geographical information systems (GIS) for mapping soil and climatic conditions that can be matched to the requirements of forage crops is considered in the context of using technology for improving sustainability. Farmer and pastoralist participation and regional developments comprise the final sections. These include analyses of developments of livestock systems in South-East Asia, rangeland development in Asia and North Africa, intensive dairying in East Africa, grassland management in Patagonia, and future prospects for temperate grasslands in Australia and for savannah and tropical grasslands in Latin America.

An inherent difficulty with multi-author texts is ensuring a degree of similarity in terms of detail of presentation and structure. In this respect the editors have been relatively successful; each chapter has a concise abstract, a state-of-the-art review with clear sub-headings, followed by an appraisal of future prospects and a comprehensive list of references that will help the reader seeking more detailed information. Some chapters are supported with colour photographs, and others with figures and tables. For a text with an intended international readership there might have been a strong case for a greater use of illustrations generally, as well as for more figures and tables.

The preface suggests that ‘researchers, grassland scientists and policy makers will find this book useful and that it will contribute to the debate on the future of grasslands and their role in feeding the world’. Many grassland scientists seeking an overview of topics outside their own areas of expertise will find some of the more specialized and topical chapters, for instance on biotechnological approaches to temperate forage improvement, on GIS-based species adaptation mapping, and the regional essays, immensely useful. It has potential as good source material for lecturers and students, although the absence of an index will, unfortunately, limit its usefulness as a reference book. Nevertheless, there is a wealth of material here, it is fairly priced, and deserves a wide readership.