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This 556-page book examines current grassland problems and issues, and provides an insight into grassland productivity in diverse areas of the world. There is a focus on recent technical advances and the prospects for further innovation. The book contains 21 individually-authored chapters divided among 7 sections. The text is in English and each of the chapters is individually referenced. The first section focuses on forage germplasm and this section contains chapters 1-4, which individually discuss prospects for temperature forage legumes, the future role of forage legumes in the Mediterranean climatic areas, advances and perspectives for new grasses and legumes in the tropical zones of Latin America, and perspectives on forage tree legumes. The theme of section II is forage conservation and the 2 chapters in this section discuss silage from a global perspective, and prospects for haying systems around the world. Grass-based systems and organic production are the focus of section III, which contains chapters 7-9. Specific topics discussed in these 3 chapters include: meat and milk production from grass-based systems; pastoral industries and the efficient use of pastoral resources in New Zealand; and principles, practices and the potential of organic grassland. Section IV focuses on climate change, biodiversity and biotechnology and this section contains chapters 10-12, which individually cover: rising atmospheric carbon dioxide and global climate change and the management implications for grazing lands; current changes and scenarios in grasslands biodiversity; and biotechnological approaches to temperate forage improvement. Geographical information systems (GIS) are the focus of section V and this section contains chapters on GIS-based adaptation mapping of forage species and the application of remote sensing technology to grassland resource management in China. The sixth section of the book focuses on farmer and pastoralist participation and the 2 chapters in this section discuss: recent developments, impacts and opportunities for new forages for smallholder livestock systems in Southeast Asia, and the present and future of rangeland development in West Asia and North Africa. The theme of final section, section VII, is regional development and this final section contains chapters 17-21, which individually discuss, respectively, forage and ruminant livestock integration in tree crop plantations of Southeast Asia; intensive forage production in smallholder dairy farming in eastern Africa; rural depopulation and grassland management in Patagonia; changing philosophies and future prospects in Australian temperate grasslands; and finally, the future for savannah and tropical grasslands from a Latin American perspective. The book highlights a list of the contributors and their respective institutions. This book was published by Science Publishers, Inc. in association with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. This book will be of interest to researchers, lecturers and students in grassland science and its associated disciplines, land use advisers and policy makers.