Grasses

The purpose of this publication is to provide naturalists, resource managers and scientists with a simple guide to identify all species of seagrasses in the Red Sea. Each species is described in detail using photographs of key and diagnostic features. Key features are those that distinguish a particular species from most other species, whereas diagnostic features belong only to that species. The guide begins with a description of habitats in the Red Sea that support seagrasses, followed by an introduction to the features of seagrasses used for identification.

The purpose of this publication is to provide naturalists, resource managers and scientists with a simple guide to identify all species of seagrasses in the Red Sea. Each species is described in detail using photographs of key and diagnostic features. Key features are those that distinguish a particular species from most other species, whereas diagnostic features belong only to that species. The guide begins with a description of habitats in the Red Sea that support seagrasses, followed by an introduction to the features of seagrasses used for identification.

Seagrasses are flowering plants that thrive in shallow oceanic and estuarine waters around the world. Although there are only about 60 species of seagrasses worldwide, these plants play an important role in many shallow, near-shore, marine ecosystems. There is growing evidence that seagrasses are declining globally because of anthropogenic impacts. This paper presents an overview of seagrasses, the impacts of climate change, and other threats to seagrass habitats. Finally, it proposes tools and strategies for managers to help support seagrass resilience.

Cette monographie importante et richement illustrée comprend les descriptions de quelque 86 genres et 213 espèces de Poaceae du Niger. Les chapitres d'introduction traitent d'autres sujets pertinents tels que le climat, la phytogéographie générale du Niger, la biologie des Poaceae indigènes et la question plus générale du rôle que jouent ces herbes dans l'économie du pays. La publication contient également quelques excellents guides de référence et cartes et restera sans doute un classique de la botanique africaine