vi
or encroach in these warm season grasslands is the major goal and focus of this
book. In searching the literature, there were approximately 10,000 citations found
when the main genera of woody legumes were searched over the past 10 years. We
will not include all of these research citations, but we will try to include the most
important papers found, especially ecological ones.
We have been interested in the woody legumes for many years, but did not
understand their ecological position or importance in a community for a long time.
Understanding their ecological position and community importance has been the
driving force of our research. We have learned a lot, but there are still many unanswered questions. This book represents a considerable amount of research that we
and others have done on the woody legumes over many years, and there are still
many interesting questions to ask and answer.
We thank Kelly Jo Stephens for the considerable help in formatting this publication and helping keep everything on track and focused. Stephanie Elliott answered
many questions about the fi gures and photographs that were included. There are too
many former students, currently faculty and friends to name, but thanks to all for the
help, support, and encouragement.
January 2, 2013
San Antonio, TX, USA
O.W. Van Auken
J.K. Bush
Preface
or encroach in these warm season grasslands is the major goal and focus of this
book. In searching the literature, there were approximately 10,000 citations found
when the main genera of woody legumes were searched over the past 10 years. We
will not include all of these research citations, but we will try to include the most
important papers found, especially ecological ones.
We have been interested in the woody legumes for many years, but did not
understand their ecological position or importance in a community for a long time.
Understanding their ecological position and community importance has been the
driving force of our research. We have learned a lot, but there are still many unanswered questions. This book represents a considerable amount of research that we
and others have done on the woody legumes over many years, and there are still
many interesting questions to ask and answer.
We thank Kelly Jo Stephens for the considerable help in formatting this publication and helping keep everything on track and focused. Stephanie Elliott answered
many questions about the fi gures and photographs that were included. There are too
many former students, currently faculty and friends to name, but thanks to all for the
help, support, and encouragement.
January 2, 2013
San Antonio, TX, USA
O.W. Van Auken
J.K. Bush
Preface