Natural History Books

Book SynopsisThirty-one full-page illustrations feature butterflies in creative settings that will flutter to life with color. Each dazzling design centers around beautiful creatures nestled within landscapes of swirling flowers and leaves.

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Book SynopsisThe great advocate for wilderness preservation wrote many letters extolling the wonders of Yosemite. His lyric, vividly written accounts describe sheep-herding, guiding visitors, and studying the region's diverse splendors.

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Book SynopsisWritten by the former chief historian of NASA, here is the first in-depth, fully illustrated history of space exploration.Trade Review'A richly illustrated chronicle of space exploration … captures the awe-inspiring side of space' - Nature'A very easy to read and fact-packed overview of how space exploration was launched by imagination, nurtured by science, and built by technological drive and innovation' - Magonia Review of Books'An informed and informative read that never talks down to its readers … a clean, uncluttered design' - BBC Sky at NightTable of Contents1. Laying the Foundations for Space Exploration • 2. WWII Paves the Way for Space Exploration • 3. Making Space Exploration Real • 4. The Space Age Dawns • 5. The Race to the Moon • 6. New Nations/New Missions • 7. Spaceplanes and Orbital Stations • 8. The Lure of the Red Planet • 9. Beyond Mars • 10. Transterrestrial Expectations

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Book SynopsisA jawdropping book of photographs that transports the reader into space aboard the Rosetta probe.Trade Review'An extraordinary book' - Black & White Photography'Bringing us ever closer to these distant worlds' - Financial Times'A raft of truly otherworldly photographs … Testament to a hugely ambitious and pioneering scientific feat, Comet is an extraordinary book that transports the reader deep into the cosmos' - Outdoor PhotographyTable of ContentsIntroduction • 1. Launching • 2. First Earth Flyby • 3. Mars Flyby • 4. Second Earth Flyby • 5. Asteroid Stein Flyby • 6. Third Earth Flyby • 7. Asteroid Lutetia Flyby 8. Entering Deep Space Hibernation • 9. Exiting Deep Space Hibernation • 10. Rendezvous Manouevre • 11. Arrival at Comet • 12. Philae Landing • 13. Nominal Mission End

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Book SynopsisExplores the lifestyles of families and individuals around the world who have escaped the daily grind to create a new life in harmony with nature. The impact of climate change and the pressures of city life â not to mention the life-changing events of the last few years â have left many of us dreaming of a simpler existence that benefits the environment and resets the mind. The lifting of restrictions, including travel, has meant that more of us than ever are re-evaluating how and where we live, eschewing disposable culture in favour of a more meaningful and sustainable way of life. From a family who relocated to the remote Australian bush to a young couple who live and work on a narrowboat on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal in the UK, Living Wild tells the stories of people around the world who have made the leap into the unknown, exploring what inspired them and how the move has impacted upon their families and livelihoods. From tackling the daily challenges of living off-grTable of ContentsIntroduction: Following a Wilder Path An Olive Farm in Provence, France A Mountaintop Cabin, Switzerland A Regenerative Farm in Mecklenburg, Germany A Wooded Retreat, Norway An Old Railway Carriage, Australia In Harmony with the Seasons, France Creativity & Craft Autumnal Gardens in Bulgaria At Home in the Australian Bush A Ranch on the Great Plains, USA The Olive Trees and the Moon, Portugal Farm to Table Little Floating Home, UK A Cabin Van in the Cairngorms, UK An Artist’s Shack, Australia Into the Wilderness, Finland Wanderlust & Technology Communal Living in Normandy, France A Florist’s Haven, UK A Yurt at the Foot of the Tetons, USA Tiny House in a Forest, UK Directory Acknowledgments

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Book SynopsisAn enhanced facsimile of Jones's Icones, one of the most scientifically important and visually stunning works on butterflies and moths ever created.Trade Review'Science and art combine in an exquisite history as relevant today as it was more than two centuries ago. A book of considerable scientific value and artistic beauty. As a modern research source – at a time when habitat destruction and a changing climate are a reality and decline of butterflies globally is alarming – it is invaluable' - John Tennent, The Art Newspaper'The sheer intellectual as well as physical effort of gathering together a body of knowledge such as Icones cannot be underestimated, and nor can its collaborative nature' - The Herald'The Icones are not only extraordinarily beautiful paintings, but they present an important record of a pre-industrial butterfly world. Several of the illustrated species are extinct or locally extinct. It is wonderful that they have finally been published. Combined with the notes from experts, this book forms, in the words of the publishers, 'an exquisite work of natural history from the Age of Enlightenment'. I couldn’t agree more' - Antenna'Any enthusiast that is interested in world Lepidoptera (butterflies in particular) and its historical backdrop will absolutely love Iconotypes and, as such, this new work is highly recommended' - Peter Eeles, Dispar'Beautifully produced' - Country Life'This wonderful book is a veritable tour-de-force (as well as being a labour of love). It is a marvellous blend of Aurelian history, taxonomy, art, biogeography, and thoughtful articles and anecdotes about the eccentric characters who have contributed to lepidopterology over the last three centuries. It is packed with stories and illustrations which will excite all lovers of Lepidoptera' - Metamorphosis'An exquisite specimen … a brilliant specimen of collaborative publishing' - The Tablet, Books of the Year'WOW! The scholarship and totality of this new book are as complete as I can want and could easily be a template for anyone writing a schol¬arly as well as beautiful book. This is the best book I ever reviewed' - Eric H. Metzler, National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian)'Now all can appreciate the paintings in this beautifully illustrated work. With historical butterfly facts and supporting interpretation it is more than just an enhanced facsimile as the title-page too modestly asserts' - Archives of Natural HistoryTable of ContentsForeword by Professor Paul Smith, Director of Oxford University Museum of Natural History Introduction: William Jones & the Birth of the Icones by Richard I .Vane-Wright Icones Volume I: Papiliones Equites: Troes & Achivi Map—Distribution of iconotype species in Europe Article—The early study of Lepidoptera by Alberto Zilli Icones Volume II: Papiliones Heliconii Map—Distribution of iconotype species in North & Central America Icones Volume III: Papiliones Danai: Candidi & Festivi Map—Distribution of iconotype species in South America Article—A flourishing of lepidopterological activity by Alberto Zilli Icones Volume IV: Papiliones Nymphales: Gemmati & Phalerati Map—Distribution of iconotype species in Asia Article—Collecting Lepidoptera in the 18th & 19th centuries by Arlene Leis Icones Volume V: Papiliones Nymphales Map—Distribution of iconotype species in Africa Article—The art of painting butterflies by Stefanie Jovanovic-Kruspel Icones Volume VI: Papiliones Plebeji Map—Distribution of iconotype species in Australasia Article—The decline of Lepidoptera around the globe by Francisco Sánchez-Bayo Icones Volume VII: Papiliones Conclusion: The Legacy of William Jones by Richard I. Vane-Wright Full listing of Jones’s iconotypes Bibliography Sources of illustrations Index to the butterflies Index to the articles Acknowledgments

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated celebration of sustainable and often little-known edible plants from around the world that are revolutionizing how we grow, eat and appreciate food. Plants that can thrive under the most challenging of conditions are becoming ever more important in ensuring food security in our changing climate. This book takes the reader on a visual journey, exploring edible plants from around the world, from the more familiar to the lesser known. Richly illustrated, each plant profile gives fascinating insights into relevant growing conditions and flavour profiles, as well as helpful tips for growing, cooking and eating. Many of the world's edible plants have been cultivated by humankind over thousands of years and yet more than half of our diet is made up of just three: wheat, maize and rice. There are many thousands more we can make use of to create a more sustainable food future. Offering the reader an extraordinary peek into the tasty world of plants, Edible explores fascinatTrade Review'A remarkable and extremely beautiful book… I love everything about it, the text, the wonderful illustrations and the persuasive message. Food for thought indeed' - Joanna LumleyTable of ContentsIntroduction Key THE PLANTS Gurganyan • African Baobab • Grains of Paradise • Winged Kelp • Hopniss • Great Burdock • Breadfruit • American Pawpaw • Mediterranean Saltbush • Peach Palm • Desert Date • Vine Spinach • Kochia • Wax Gourd • Palmyra Palm • Safflower • Sea Grapes • Plumed Cockscomb • Carob • Irish Moss • Coffee Cherry • Cornelian Cherry • Tiger Nut • Fonio Millet • Vegetable Fern • Ebbing’s Silverberry • Mountain Spinach • Enset • Culantro • Bolivian Fuchsia • Roselle • Sea Buckthorn • Yuki Urui • Sweet Potato Leaves • Sweet Bush Mango • Indian Butter Tree • Acerola Cherry • Sapodilla • Spanish Lime • Oysterleaf • Murnong • Moringa • Red Banana • Yangmei • Nutmeg • Prickly Pear • African Rice • Safou • Jicama • Henon Bamboo • Tomatillo • Vallonea Oak • Black Radish • Cosconilla • Loquat • Marsh Samphire • Marula • Heirloom Potatoes • Tamarind • Dandelion • Prekese • Chinese Toon • Water Caltrop • Moth Bean • Bambara Groundnut • Fox Grape • Yellowhorn • Sansho • Jujube • Marine Rice FOOD FOR A CHANGING WORLD Agroforestry • Plant Breeding and Diversity • Foraging • The Future of Bread • Climate Change and Plants • Indigenous Food Systems • Plants in Space • Plant-based Foods • Surprising Plant Flavours • Food as Medicine

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Book SynopsisA glorious celebration of the beauty, diversity, importance and sheer wonder of plants, with exquisite illustrations from the collections of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Plants feed us, clothe us, shelter us, help transport us, and can both intoxicate and cure us. From food staples to exotic and enchanting flowers, plants are essential for the wellbeing of our selves and our planet. Helen and William Bynum are expert guides to the intriguing histories and uses of over 80 key plants. Rich in cultural, historical, botanical and symbolic associations, the plants, from every corner of the globe both familiar and bizarre have fascinating stories to tell. Starting with foods that laid the foundations for the development of civilizations, such as wheat, rice and maize, and those that enliven our diet, such as saffron and spices, sections look at plants that have helped to create our material world, including bamboo and the oak, and crops that have made people rich, such as tea, cTrade Review'This beautifully illustrated, insightful and well-pitched book will make the ideal gift for plant-obsessed readers' - The English Garden'An accessible introduction to the field of economic botany … stands as a rewarding artefact in its own right, emanating the authors’ quintessentially human passion for plants and their uses' - Gardens Illustrated'With 205 exquisite illustrations, this book is beautiful … From rice to rhubarb and aloe to indigo, these plants make life work. And this book is one you should buy' - The Field'The book is blessed with the fine design and production values we expect from this publisher' - Daily TelegraphTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. Transformers 2. Taste 3. Heal and Harm 4. Technology and Power 5. Cash Crops 6. Landscapes 7. Revered and Adored 8. Wonders of Nature

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Book SynopsisA fascinating compendium showcasing the extraordinary wonders of the birds that share our world through exquisite ornithological illustrations, prints and drawings. We share the Earth with more than 10,000 species of birds and we have always been enchanted by them. Here, over 60 birds, organized thematically into eight sections, cover all aspects of our relationship with birds. Songbirds' celebrates the greatest bird virtuosi, such as the Nightingale, while Birds of Prey' include majestic hunters such as the Harpy Eagle, which catches prey as large as monkeys and sloths. Feathered Travellers' describes astounding journeys made by birds even some tiny Hummingbirds migrate huge distances. The Love Life of Birds' can rival any soap opera and involves the most brilliant displays, notably the Birds of Paradise, with their extravagant feathers and dances. Avian Cities' explores species such as the Flamingo that live in spectacular large colonies. Useful to Us' examines the ways we find birds of value, such as the Turkey, but also the Canary. Threatened and Extinct' describes some no longer living and others that seem on the brink. Birds have also had great mystical significance, both for good and evil, and Revered and Adored' considers such species as the Sacred Ibis, believed by the ancient Egyptians to represent the god Thoth. For anyone interested in the natural world and the wonderful variety of birds around us, this beautifully illustrated book is a visual treat that will inspire, inform and delight.

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Book SynopsisA celebration of the beauty, diversity, importance and sheer wonder of the most remarkable trees, with exquisite illustrations from the incomparable collections of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. More than 60,000 species of trees are found in an amazing variety of forms, sizes and habitats. Every tree has its own story and here are over 60, selected for their particular resonance and connection with humankind and representing most of the world's major zones and ecologies. In this compact edition, portraits that combine vivid cultural and historical narrative with a firm scientific grounding, the authors reveal the details of trees from around the world, both familiar and strange. We use timbers for building and creating, have discovered which tree fruits and seeds taste delicious, and which can kill or cure us, and which species can add colour and spirituality to our lives from the timber of mahogany to the delights of chocolate and pomegranate, from the medicinal tea tree to the deadly manchineel, and from fragrant frankincense to the highly prized dragon's blood tree. Artists and botanists alike have been inspired by trees for centuries, and a varied and beautiful range of images from the unrivalled archive at Kew illustrate the stories, to create this enlightening and enchanting book.

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Book SynopsisCamille Juzeau is an author and documentary director for radio and podcast. With a background in history and philosophy of science, most of her work sensitively explores the relationship between humans and nature. The Shelf Company is a graphic design studio working in the fields of arts and sciences. The educational dimension of their work illustrates their passion for the representation of data and systems, and more broadly the transmission of knowledge.

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated guide to our astonishing new understanding of dinosaurs, with the latest science and the most accurate and visually stunning palaeoart.Trade Review'Want to know what dinosaurs really looked like? Leading palaeontologist Michael Benton and renowned palaeoartist Bob Nicholls join forces to show you dinosaurs like you've never seen them before. You'll see dinosaurs in full technicolour, covered in feathers, with camouflaged bodies, iridescent heads, rings on their tails, wings on their arms, and sometimes even their legs. And best of all, it's real. This gorgeous book belongs on the bookshelves of any science enthusiast, and any movie director or television producer looking to bring dinosaurs to the screen' - Steve Brusatte, professor and palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh and bestselling author of 'The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs''World-leading palaeontologist Michael J. Benton cracks open the fossil evidence to reveal the truth behind what dinosaurs looked like in this fascinating and remarkably illustrated guide' - How it Works'The illustrations by expert palaeoartist Bob Nicholls make this coffee table book a real treasure' - BBC Science Focus'An informative, engaging, and beautiful volume detailing the cutting-edge work that has gone into reconstructing the paleobiology of the dinosaurs and their contemporaries' - Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION 1. Sinosauropteryx 2. Anchiornis 3. Caudipteryx 4. Microraptor 5. Archaeopteryx 6. Confuciusornis 7. Edmontosaurus 8. Eomaia 9. Saltasaurus 10. Psittacosaurus 11. Kulindadromeus 12. Stenoptergius 13. Borealopelta 14. Anurognathus 15. Tupandactylus Further reading

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1789, this is a study of the flora and fauna of the parish of Selborne in Hampshire. This volume also includes the author's correspondence with the two distinguished naturalists, Thomas Penant and the Honourable Daines Barrington.Trade Review'A bibliographic treat, both editorially and pictorially … a book of authority and charm' - House & Garden'Would make the perfect seasonal gift for anyone who wants to shake off the winter blues and stray out into the spring fields and woods' - Independent

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Book SynopsisFrom Classical times to the 19th century, the great quest to discover and define the intoxicating diversity of the natural world attracted a host of intrepid thinkers and explorers. Aristotle and Linnaeus set out to classify nature; Joseph Banks and von Humboldt made perilous journeys to collect and record it. Antony van Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria with a homemade microscope and James Hutton revealed the immense age of the Earth. Mary Anning hunted fossils; others insects, birds and plants. Georges Cuvier pondered extinction, and Charles Darwin proclaimed the origin of species. With their radical thinking and commitment to close observation, these pioneers laid foundations for the specialist scientists of today. Here thirty-nine of them are brought vividly to life by an array of experts, with illustrations from the unmatched archive of the Natural History Museum, London.

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Book SynopsisA fun, well-structured collection of facts and trivia about the climate.Trade Review'A really impressive book that concisely presents the issues at hand in a clear and robust way, giving the reader the tools to help debunk myths' - @mssburnsTable of Contents1. Everything is connected • 2. The climate is always changing… and so is the Earth • 3. The Earth is getting warmer • 4. The Earth is becoming more polluted • 5. The Impact of a warmer and more polluted planet • 6. What should we do?

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Book SynopsisFor cat lovers everywhere, these wonderful photographs highlight the felines who inhabit the streets of Istanbul, a city famous for its love of cats. This stunning photobook delves into the lives of the thousands of cats that roam the streets of Istanbul. The photographs show the unique personalities of these street cats, each with its own story and charm. From lounging on cobblestones and shop fronts, to perching on colourful market stalls, the cats appear in a variety of urban settings, offering a glimpse into the vibrant spirit and culture of Istanbul and its local inhabitants. The book explores how the feral cats of Istanbul are represented in various media, with social media, notably TikTok and Instagram, a particular medium through which Istanbul's cats have gained widespread popularity. The historical and contemporary cultural significance of cats in Turkish society is presented in essays by the photographer Marcel Heijnen, haiku by Ian Row, and even first-person accounts written from the perspectives of the cats themselves all interwoven with Marcel's beautiful photography.

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Book SynopsisPiece together this 70-piece, whale-shaped puzzle to discover all your favourite ocean creatures beautifully illustrated by Yuval Zommer. Have you ever wondered what might be inside a whale's belly? Piece together this whale-shaped puzzle before peeking into its belly to spot plankton, fish, squid, octopus, and whatever else this whale had for lunch! The Big Belly of the Whale is an opportunity for children to explore the ocean and one of its most magical inhabitants the whale. Did you know that a sperm whale can hold its breath for over two hours? Or that a blue whale is bigger than the biggest dinosaur? Find all these facts and more in the poster that is included with the puzzle.

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Book SynopsisSpectacular, mysterious, elegant, or grotesque, the vertebrate skeletons of Earth's fossil record carry within them the traces of several billion years of life. This book provides a map of those billion years in time. It presents the undeniable truth of Darwin's theory, showing through 200 photographs of skeletons both obscure and commonplace.Trade Review'So beautiful ... so dramatic ... so evocative of life' - New Scientist'Fascinating … the restored skeletons of animals from natural history museums are lit to highlight their beauty and grace … compelling' - Financial Times'Exquisite' - Sunday TelegraphTable of Contents1. Architecture • 2. Classification • 3. The Birth of Species • 4. Selection and Seduction • 5. The Power of Environment • 6. Evolutionary Tinkering • 7. Constructions and Deconstructions • 8. A Question of Size • 9. Time and Evolution • 10. Our Family

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Book SynopsisUnleashed by the world's finest photographers, mischievous mutts, performing pooches and streetwise strays all leap to life in this deliciously waggish compilation from the Magnum archive.Trade Review'It is all too easy to think of dogs as pets, but this collection rightfully highlights them as protagonists' - Financial Times'Thoughtfully put together with a wide range of pictures, this is a must for lovers of dogs and portraiture alike' - Black & White Photography'A must for any dog lover in your life who also happens to appreciate great photography … showcases the visual wit and skill of the iconic agency’s photographers … It’s impossible not to enjoy browsing the cornucopia of canine encounters captured in the book … lovingly curated' - Digital Camera World'Witty, cheering … charming' - The i newspaper'[A] handbag-sized delight' - The Times, Photography Books of the Year 2021'If you feel gloomy with the state of the world, flicking through a few pages of this gorgeous book of dog-themed photography is just the tonic' - The Herald'‘[Makes] you see the world in a slightly different way' - Daily MailTable of ContentsIntroduction • 1. Streetwise • 2. Best in Show • 3. At the Beach • 4. Behind the Scenes • 5. It's a Dog's Life • Index of photographers

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Book SynopsisHow do bees communicate? What does a beekeeper do? Did you know that Napoleon loved bees? Who survived being stung by 2,443 bees? This book answers all these questions and many more, tracking the history of bees from the time of the dinosaurs to their current plight.Trade Review'A beautifully illustrated new book by cartoonist Piotr Socha will delight your children with all things buzzy…It is a brilliant way to educate the younger generation about something very small but very important' - Absolutely Education Magazine'Designed like a coffee table book, yet containing the knowledge of an encyclopaedia, and reading like a fun newspaper, this is stunningly executed my top non-fiction book of the year' - Minerva Reads'This glorious book will introduce you to the bee world. It is fantastically illustrated in a cartoonish style that is big, bold and will appeal to all ages of reader. As well as being encyclopaedic, it is great fun - featuring recipes and a little bee newspaper, the Daily Buzz' - Book Trust'This A3-sized beautifully illustrated book will quickly become a favourite in any household' - Countryside'The Bee Book is a treasure trove of information just waiting to 'bee' harvested!' - The Bookbag'Charming and educative' - The Tablet'While it is intended for children with most of the illustrations … of a folksy and caricature-type nature, it will readily appeal to adults too' - Beekeeper Quarterly'A marvellous, unique picture book about beekeeping that delights everyone who sees it' - Bees for Development Journal'A wonderfully imagined and wittily illustrated compendium … Full of humour … Everything is beautifully explained in detail on a double-page spread for a deeper understanding. Quite magnificent' - The Society of AuthorsTable of Contents1. 100 millions years ago: bees and dinosaurs • 2. How a bee is built • 3. Types of bee and their functions • 4. The Queen Bee and bee breeding • 5. Bees’ dancing and swarming • 6. Honeycomb, contractions based on it and other examples of biomimetics • 7. Pollination • 8. Fruits and vegetables that rely on bees • 9. Other secondary pollinators • 10. First traces of contact between a man and a bee • 11. Ancient Egypt 12. Greek divinities and honey in Greek mythology • 13. Alexander and Poppea • 14. Beehive Design • 15. Early Slavs and Saint Ambrose • 16. Napoleon and Josephine 17. Curiosities • 18. Early honey harvesting • 19. Honey harvesting and early honey-hunters • 20. How a bee-hive is built • 21. Beekeeper’s clothing and tools • 22. A beekeeper’s work • 23. Types of beehives • 24. Figurative • 25. Ethiopia and Cameroon • 26. Asia • 27. Honey-giving plants • 28. Travelling apiaries • 29. How honey’s by-products are made • 30. Types of honey and dishes in which it’s used • 31. Enemies of bees and lovers of honey • 32. Bee sting • 33. Vanishing bees and hand-pollination • 34. Beehives in cities and hotels for pollinators • 35. Curiosities

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Book SynopsisAn accessible, informative guide to identifying constellations and other incredible features of the sky, whether you’re hiking, camping, or stargazing from your backyard. Discover the Stars leads you on a tour of all the stars and constellations visible with the naked eye and introduces you to deep-sky objects that can be seen with binoculars or a simple telescope. The tour is conducted by the editor of Astronomy magazine, Richard Berry, whose two-color, computer-plotted sky maps and clear instructions make stargazing fun and productive from your first night out.The heart of Discover the Stars is two sections of big, beautiful sky maps and charts. The first section features twelve maps that show the entire sky overhead as it appears during each month of the year. These outline all the constellations visible anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, and the accompanying text reveals the rich ancient mythology that surrounds the star groups.T

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Book SynopsisFocused exclusively on native and naturalized vascular plants of California's southeastern deserts, the Desert Manual provides illustrations for more than 200 desert taxa, keys to identification, distributional information and 128 colour photographs.Trade Review"This impressive, streamlined new field guide to plants of California deserts is based on The Jepson Manual but is truly a handbook to be carried in the field. It offers new introductory discussions, many new illustrations, revised user-friendly keys, updated distribution information, flowering times... and handsome color photos of many species. This marvelous book demonstrates that our deserts are not barren wastes but treasure houses filled with an abundance of floristic riches."-Robert Ornduff, author of Introduction to California Plant Life; "An invaluable companion to those who delight in the unusual and beautiful plants of these scenic areas."-Peter H. Raven, Director, Missouri Botanical Garden; "This much-needed volume incorporates new information about the status and range of many California desert plants. This book will facilitate access to information about our deserts, and will lead to increased respect and attention to them. We warmly welcome it."-Jake Sigg, President, California Native Plant SocietyTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Authors Contributing to The Jepson Desert Manual Introduction Philosophy of The Jepson Desert Manual Conventions Used in The Jepson Desert Manual Glossary Abbreviations and Symbols Commonness and Rarity Horticultural Information Geographic Subdivisions of the California Deserts The California Deserts: Setting, Climate, Vegetation, and History Floristic Diversity in the California Deserts Key to the California Desert Plant Families Taxonomic Treatments Pteridophytes (F) Gymnosperms (G) Dicots (D) Monocots (M) Index Photo Credits

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Book SynopsisA reference to the sharks, rays, and chimaeras found in California's waters - from the intertidal zone to 500 miles offshore. It includes information on the California marine environment, ecology and conservation, and shark biology.

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Book SynopsisCalifornia's unique plants range in size from the stately Coast Redwoods to the minute belly plants of the southern deserts. This book features photographs that illustrate plants and typical plant communities around the state, and chapters containing discussions of the evolution of the California landscape, changes in California's flora, and more.Table of ContentsPreface Preface from the 1974 Edition Introduction 1. THE CALIFORNIA FLORA The Californian Floristic Province Diversity of the Flora Naming Plants: Latin Binomials and Common Names The Meanings of Plant Names A Hierarchy of Classification Naming New Plant Species Rarity and Endemism 2. CALIFORNIA’S TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATE, AND SOILS Topographical Features of California Climate Geology and Soils 3. PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES ON PLANTS Soil and Topography Sun and Wind Effect of Shade Competition for Water and Light Water and Salinity The Presence of Fire Fungi and Bacteria Plant Competition and Allelopathy Herbivory Pollination Seed Dispersal Adaptations to Aridity Reading the Landscape by Indicator Species 4. VARIATION OR ECOTYPES OF PLANT SPECIES Climatic Ecotypes Soil Ecotypes 5. INTRODUCTION TO CALIFORNIA VEGETATION Vegetation and Flora Concepts of Plant Community and Vegetation A Classification System Ecological Dominance Plant Succession Life Zones 6. VEGETATION TYPES IN CISMONTANE CALIFORNIA The Cismontane Region (West of the Sierra Nevada Crest) 7. VEGETATION TYPES IN MONTANE AND TRANSMONTANE CALIFORNIA Montane Region (High Mountain Areas) Transmontane Region (Areas East of the Sierra Nevada Crest and the Deserts) 8. EVOLUTION OF THE CALIFORNIA FLORA Arcto-Tertiary Geoflora Neotropical Tertiary Geoflora Madro-Tertiary Geoflora Fossil History of Coast Redwood 9. EARLY PLANT EXPLORATION AND BOTANY IN CALIFORNIA Early Explorers Early Plant Collectors The First American Explorers Surveys for Railroads Botany in California Since Statehood 10. RECENT CHANGES IN CALIFORNIA’S FLORA Climate Change Native American Usage of the Land The Impact of Agriculture and Grazing The Impact of Invasive Weeds Tracking Habitat Destruction and Loss of Species Habitat Restoration Saving Biodiversity: A Call for Action Glossary Supplemental Reading References Art Credits and Additional Captions Index of Plant Names General Index

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Book SynopsisA memoir presents David Powell's lifelong love of the ocean and gives a highly personal, behind-the-scenes look at California's magnificent and innovative aquariums. David Powell, for many years curator of the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, tells the story of his life as a pioneering aquarist.Table of ContentsForeword, by Sylvia A. Earle Acknowledgments 1. Underwater Thoughts 2. Marineland of the Pacific 3. A First Look at Realism 4. The Road to Gonzaga Bay 5. The Steinhart Aquarium 6. Adventure in the Sea of Cortez 7. Sea World 8. Carnival in Mazatlan 9. The Lure of Sharks 10. Tanner Bank and Mexico Expo 11. The Revillagigedo Islands 12. Roundabout to Steinhart Aquarium 13. Search for a Living Fossil 14. To Chile, Easter Island, and Rarotonga 15. Monterey Bay Aquarium 16. Creating the Exhibits 17. Aquarists at Work 18.Collecting the Fish 19. Always Something New 20. The Open Ocean 21. Pelagic Fishes 22. A Million-Gallon Fishbowl 23. A New Direction Selected Reading Index

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Book SynopsisDiscusses both the human and the natural history of the islands of California, including all eight Channel Islands, Ano Nuevo, the Farallons, and the islands of San Francisco Bay. This title explores the formation of the islands; discuss the history of human habitation.Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION 1 ISLAND ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY 2 GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE ISLANDS 3 EARLY HUMAN POPULATIONS ON THE CALIFORNIA ISLANDS 4 MARINE LIFE 5 SANTA CATALINA ISLAND 6 THE NORTHERN CHANNEL ISLANDS 7 THE OUTER SOUTHERN CHANNEL ISLANDS:SAN CLEMENTE, SAN NICOLAS, AND SANTA BARBARA 8 AÑO NUEVO ISLAND 9 THE FARALLON ISLANDS 10 THE ISLANDS OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY EPILOGUE Selected References Index

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Book SynopsisExplores the remarkable diversity of life in this harsh yet fragile quarter of the Golden State. This book illuminates how that diversity, created by drought and heat, has evolved with climate change since the Ice Ages. It also takes the measure of the ecological condition of these deserts, presenting issues of conservation and restoration.Trade Review"Through the eloquent and skillful interweaving of cultural, scientific, and natural history themes, Pavlik and University of California Press have set a new standard for books on the ecology of natural bioregions." Conservation Biology "Delightful book ... The California Deserts reads like a novel, unraveling mystery after mystery of these arid lands... This is a 'must read' for any naturalist interested in California deserts, and it will likely set a new standard in what we should look for in 'field guides.'" -- Laurie J. Vitt Qtly Review Of Biology "A wonderful resource for any naturalist, educator, or person that is eager to learn more about the diversity of the unique desert ecosystems of California." -- Keri McNew Botanical Rsrch Inst. Of Txs (Jbrit) "Approachable and beautifully illustrated text that clearly lays out the complexities of the desert ecosystems of California and the problems that they face." Ecological Restoration "What a desert book should be like, written in such fashion that even if you have no interest in deserts whatsoever, you will still enjoy reading the book. Most desert writing is turgid. This book is not." Digital Tibetan Buddhist Altar "Pavlik takes the reader on an ecological exploration of the arid regions of the Golden State... Excellent." Aptos TimesTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION: THE LOST BASKET REDISCOVERY Coming to Explore Coming to Conquer Coming to Understand Coming to Cherish A CONSPIRACY OF EXTREMES Geography of a Bioregion Climate Geology Soils Waters OPERATION AND ORIGINS Ecosystem Operations in the Desert Bioregion Origins of the Desert Bioregion REMARKABLE BIOTA Biological Diversity: The Richness of Species Evolving with Drought Drought-Susceptible Species Drought-Avoiding Species Drought-Tolerant Species GREATER THAN THE SUM OF THE PARTS Great Basin Communities Mojave Communities Sonoran Communities FUTURE OF AN ARID BIOREGION Current Threats Ecological Remedies Weaving a New Basket References Art Credits Index

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Book SynopsisBarnum Brown led a remarkable life (1873-1963), spending most of it searching for fossils - and sometimes oil - in every corner of the globe. This biography discloses the details about his life and travels - from his youth on the western frontier to his spying for the US government under cover of his expeditions.Trade Review"A rollicking recollection of Brown." -- Jen Barone Discover Magazine "It is about time someone wrote this book ... this book tells the story very well ... Highly recommended." -- M. A. Wilson Choice "Dingus and Norell do justice to the unconventional, many-faceted if somewhat mysterious Brown." Publishers Weekly "An authoritative biography of Barnum Brown has long been wanting, and the authors of the new volume have done an overall excellent job of summarizing the achievements of one of the most famous fossil hunters of all time." -- Brian Switek Smithsonian.com/Dinosaur Tracking Blog "The definitive account of the life and times of a singular man and a superlative fossil hunter." The Birdbooker Report "The definitive account of the life and times of a singular man and a superlative fossil hunter." Science Blogs "Well written." -- Donald M. Henderson Great Plains Research "Intriguing." College & Research Libraries News "Brown liked bonhomie, incurred woman trouble from time to time, and had a wife whose embellishments of life in the field enliven the biography ...her letter writing and published books about subsequent digs round out this biography and indicate the public interest in "Mr. Bones" during his lifetime. Dingus and Norell ably revive that in this gap-filling scientific biography." -- Gilbert Taylor Booklist "Comprehensive and enjoyable ... A monumental amount of careful research, consultation with colleagues and source checking clearly went into this volume and it will stand forever as the definitive work on this most important character." -- Darren Naish Historical Biology "Occasionally, a biography strikes the perfect note ... The exhaustive research pays off big for the reader, placing Barnum Brown in the upper ranks of well-written biographies." -- Claire Rudy Foster Foreword "An extremely good book." -- Jeffrey W. Martz Journal Vertebrate Paleontology "A scholarly but very readable book. Brown emerges as a character one might enjoy sitting beside on a long airplane flight." -- Jane Manaster Sacramento & San Francisco Book RevsTable of ContentsContents List of Illustrations Prologue: The Mindset of Barnum Brown 1. Child of the Frontier (1873--1889) 2. Student ... of Sorts (1889--1896) 3. Apprentice Extraordinaire (1896--1898) 4. To Land's End: Patagonia (1898--1900) 5. To the Depths of Hell Creek (1900--1903) 6. Love (1903--1906) 7. Loss (1906--1910) 8. The Canadian Dinosaur Bone Rush (1910--1916) 9. Cuba, Abyssinia, and Other Intrigues (1916--1921) 10. Jewels from the Orient: Raj India (1921--1923) 11. Perils and Pearls Up the Irrawaddy: Burma (1923) 12. Samos: Isle of Intrigue (1923--1925) 13. Ancient Americans Hunting Bison? Birds as Dinosaurs? (1925--1931) 14. Digging--and Flying--for Dinosaurs: Howe Quarry and the Aerial Survey of Western Fossil Beds (1931--1935) 15. Toward the Golden Years: The Mystery Track-Maker and the Glen Rose Trackway (1935--1942) 16. Brown as a Spy, Movie Consultant, and Showman at the World's Fair (1942--1963) Epilogue Appendix 1. List of Major Specimens Collected by Barnum Brown on Display in the AMNH Fossil Halls Appendix 2. Memoirs of Barnum Brown: Discovery, Excavation and Preparation of the Type Specimen Tyrannosaurus rex Appendix 3. Summary of Fossil Collections by Barnum Brown and His AMNH Crews Notes Bibliography Acknowledgments Index

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Book SynopsisDiscusses the ways that scientists have observed and modeled glaciers, tells how climate change is altering their size and distribution, and looks at their effect on human life.Trade Review" A fascinating and stimulating volume ... a wonderful reference ... and a thumping good read." Journal Of Quaternary Science

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive resource on California's diverse flora. It includes treatments of many taxa and reflects major improvements to plant taxonomy from phylogenetic studies. It also includes geographic distributions, elevation ranges, flowering times, and nomenclature.Trade Review"For serious wildflower enthusiasts, this is a must-have reference book." Desert Sun "A wonderful resource and indispensible reference for anyone working with the flora of western North America and beyond." -- Richard Felger, University of Arizona Herbarium Economic Botany "The book ... is an indispensable up-to-date treasure trove for academics and a flora to be envied by botanists from outside California." -- Ivan Hoste Plant Ecology and Evolution "Certainly one of the most comprehensive regional floras now available... A wonderful resource and indispensible reference for anyone working with the flora of western North America and beyond." -- Richard Felger, University of Arizona Herbarium Economic Botany "For serious wildflower enthusiasts, this is a must-have reference book." Desert Sun "Another milestone in Californian botanical literature." -- Marcel Rejmanek Plant Science BulletinTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Authors Contributing to The Jepson Manual, Second Edition Introduction Philosophy Conventions Used in The Jepson Manual, Second Edition Abbreviations and Symbols Glossary Geographic Subdivisions of California Hierarchical Outline of Geographic Subdivisions Geographic Subdivisions of California (map) Geologic, Climatic, and Vegetation History of California Key to California Vascular Plant Families Taxonomic Treatments Lycophytes Ferns Gymnosperms Nymphaeales Magnoliids Ceratophyllales Eudicots Monocots Appendix. Numerical Summary of Taxa Treated in The Jepson Manual, Second Edition Index

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Book SynopsisSince around 1500 CE, humans have shaped the global environment in ways that were previously unimaginable. This book offers an overview of global environmental history throughout this remarkable 500-year period. It examines the connections between environmental change and other topics of early and modern world history.Trade Review"A collection of articles dealing with various environmental subjects covering different parts of the world. This book provides exactly this." Canadian Journal Of History "[Gives] a truly integrative understanding of world history." Abstracts Of Public Administration, Development And Environment "This well-organized, clearly written volume finally eliminates any anxiety environmental historians have wrestled with for decades." -- Niklas Robinson Journal Of World HistoryTable of ContentsList of Figures, Maps, and Tables Preface Acknowledgments Part One: Overview 1. Introduction: World History and Environmental History Kenneth Pomeranz 2. The Big Story: Human History, Energy Regimes, and the Environment Edmund Burke III 3. Toward a Global System of Property Rights in Land John F. Richards Part Two: Rivers, Regions, and Developmentalism 4. The Transformation of the Middle Eastern Environment, 1500 B.C.E.-2 C.E. Edmund Burke III 5. The Transformation of China's Environment, 1500-2 Kenneth Pomeranz 6. The Rhine as a World River Mark Cioc 7. Continuity and Transformation: Colonial Rice Frontiers and Their Environmental Impact on the Great River Deltas of Mainland Southeast Asia Michael Adas Part Three: Landscapes, Conquests, Communities, and the Politics of Knowledge 8. Beyond the Colonial Paradigm: African History and Environmental History in Large-Scale Perspective William Beinart 9. Environmental Histories of India: Of States, Landscapes, and Ecologies Mahesh Rangarajan 10. Latin American Environmental History: A Shifting Old/New Field Lise Sedrez 11. The Predatory Tribute-Taking State: A Framework for Understanding Russian Environmental History Douglas R. Weiner Select Bibliography List of Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisThe American chestnut was one of America's most common, valued, and beloved trees - a 'perfect tree' that ruled the forests from Georgia to Maine. In a weave of history, science, and personal observation, this work relates the author's quest to save the tree through methods that ranged from classical plant breeding to advanced gene technology.Trade Review"A moving portrait... Freinkel's fine reportage sparkles." Natural History "A tale of the functional extinction of what was once one of the most economically valuable and ecologically important trees." American Scientist "Engrossing and compelling." American Studies Journal "Will not disappoint!" Picayune Item "Highly recommend it to anyone who cares about nature and perhaps this should be a required reading for all biology/ecology/environmental science students." Wildlife ActivistTable of ContentsMap of American chestnut distribution in 1938 Introduction PART ONE 1. Where There Are Chestnuts 2. A New Scourge 3. Let Us Not Talk about Impossibilities 4. A Whole World Dying PART TWO 5. Rolling the Dice 6. Evil Tendencies Cancel 7. Let Us Plant 8. Chestnut 2.0 9. Faith in a Seed Conclusion / The Comeback Notes Acknowledgments Index

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Book SynopsisAn interpretive field guide that describes the 45 whales, dolphins, seals, and otters that are resident in, migrate through, or forage from Baja in Mexico to British Columbia in Canada. It provides details on identification, natural history, distribution, and conservation.Trade Review"Handy, [with] rich species accounts... A must have for anyone interested in marine mammals!" The Guardian "For the person who enjoys watching the creatures that inhabit our coastline, the mariner who might travel with pods of whales, or the beachcomber who shares the sand with seals and sea lions, this is a field guide that should be tucked into every day pack or sea bag." North County Times "An excellent compact reference book ... you won't have any problem identifying the many mammals you encounter along the coastline or off shore." -- Robert Walch Salinas Californian "This field guide is a 'must have'." Wildlife Activist "Like an expert, chatty companion at one's elbow, this is a splendid guide to the subject for both amateurs and professionals." -- K. B. Sterling Choice "This comprehensive guide is all you will need when you head for the coast for a day of whale watching or just to enjoy some offfshore boating." -- Bob Walch Bookloons.com "Indispensable for naturalists, both professional and amateur." -- Paula A. Olson The Quarterly Review Of Bio "This is an excellent compact reference book for anyone who would like to know more about marine mammals." -- Robert Walch The Californian "Detailed and well-illustrated sections devoted to each species." -- Bob Walch Coastviews

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Book SynopsisA guide for both experienced and novice gardeners in California. It covers trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, bulbs, grasses, and vines, and also includes a plant selection guide.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments GARDENING WITH NATIVE PLANTS California Plant Habitats Designing a Native Garden Propagation and Planting Tending a Native Garden PLANT DESCRIPTIONS Trees Shrubs Perennials Annuals Bulbs Vines Grasses PLANT SELECTION GUIDE Glossary Resources Art Credits Index

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Book SynopsisGives an overview of dinosaurs and their world. This book places dinosaurs in an expansive web of relationships with other organisms and demonstrates how they provide a powerful lens through which to observe the entire natural world. It addresses topics such as extinction, global warming, and energy flow.Trade Review"A wonderful book, crammed with information that will surprise you." Truthdig "This thought-provoking book is a must read not only for dinosaur enthusiasts and science educators but anyone interested in the larger context of life." Magill's Literary Annual / Salem Press "Sampson is right on target... There is no better overview available than 'Dinosaur Odyssey.'" Earth Magazine "A great in-depth read for those seriously interested in the history of dinosaurs." Dig

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Book SynopsisTakes us around the globe on a colorful journey in search of the hidden world of ants. In tales from Nigeria, Indonesia, the Amazon, Australia, California, and elsewhere, this book recounts the author's entomological exploits and provides details on how ants live and how they dominate their ecosystems through strikingly human behaviors.Trade Review"Packed with graphic enthusiasm...[and] provocative thoughts... [Moffett] writes with an entertainer's instinct for hooking a restless audience." New York Times "[Adventures among Ants] is hefty, yet aerodynamic. It's really good for killing ants." The Colbert Report "Take a look at daring eco-adventurer Mark Moffett's spectacular new ant book." - Margaret Atwood -- Margaret Atwood New York Review Of Books "Superb book by a first-class writer with an unsurpassed feel for ants." Library Journal "Adventures Among Ants may reach a broader audience than other recent publications and therefore stimulate interest in ants among a new generation." -- Philip Newey Bioscience "Serfdom, war and dying for the tribe: It reads like a page out of a Russian novel. In fact, we're talking about ant life." Los Angeles Times "The book itself is a fine specimen ... [Moffett's] expertise with the camera must match his expertise on ant biology." National Wildlife "Moffett's ants are always sleek, polished and doing something spectacular." Nature "Adventure Among Ants offers exotic tales of places you will probably never go, and glimpses of beautiful ants performing marvelous feats." -- Deborah M. Gordon Nature "Many fascinating anecdotes." Washington PostTable of ContentsIntroduction: Travels with My Ants A Brief Primer on Ants Marauder Ant, the Ultimate Omnivore 1. Strength in Numbers 2. The Perfect Swarm 3. Division of Labor 4. Infrastructure 5. Group Transport African Army Ant, Raiders on the Swarm 6. Big Game Hunters 7. Clash of the Titans 8. Notes from Underground Weaver Ant, Empress of the Air 9. Canopy Empires 10. Fortified Forests 11. Negotiating the Physical World Amazon Ant, the Slavemaker 12. Slaves of Sagehen Creek 13. Abduction in the Afternoon Leafcutter Ant, the Constant Gardener 14. A Fungus Farmer’s Life 15. The Origins of Agriculture Argentine Ant, the Global Invader 16. Armies of the Earth 17. The Immortal Society Conclusion: Four Ways of Looking at an Ant Acknowledgments and a Note on Content Notes Index

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Book SynopsisA guide to California's spectacular wildflowers. It provides several ways to find them in bloom: by month, by place, and by flower. It includes the month-by-month descriptions that suggest what to see and where to go throughout the state during the blooming season. It also supplies more than 300 locations arranged in 10 geographical regions.Trade Review"A useful resource for wildflower enthusiasts who are planning to visit California's many natural areas... Recommended." -- A. L. Jacobsen, California State University, Bakersfield ChoiceTable of ContentsIntroduction Wildflower Seasons in California Purpose and Organization of this Book Where, When, What, and Wow (How to Use this Book) Using a Month-by-Month Guide--Benefits, Limitations, and Caveats A Few Last Words Special Wildflower Places (Map) NORTHWEST MOUNTAINS 1) Smith River and Siskyou Mountains (Crescent City) 2) Kangaroo Lake Botanical Area (Callahan) 3) Trinity Alps (Weaverville) COAST AND COAST RANGES Northern 4) Redwood National and State Parks (Orick) 5) Dunes of Arcata (Arcata) 6) Bear Valley (Williams) 7) Boggs Lake (Clear Lake) 8) Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve (Fort Ross) 9) Salt Point State Park (Fort Ross) 10) Bodega Head (Bodega) 11) China Camp State Park (San Pablo Bay) Central and Southern 12) Ring Mountain (Corte Madeira) 13) Mount Tamalpais/Muir Woods (Marin) 14) Mount Diablo (Walnut Creek) 15) San Bruno Mountains (South San Francisco) 16) Edgewood Preserve (San Mateo) 17) Pinnacles National Monument (Soledad) 18) CA58 from Santa Margarita to McKittrick 19) Carrizo Plain (San Luis Obispo) 20) Nipomo-Guadalupe Dunes (Guadalupe) 21) Wind Wolves Natural Preserve (Maricopa) 22) Santa Rosa Plateau (Murrieta) 23) Torrey Pines State Park (San Diego) TRANSVERSE RANGES 24) Santa Monica Mountains (Malibu) 25) San Gabriel Mountains/San Bernardino Mountains (Los Angeles) CENTRAL VALLEY 26) Table Mountain (Oroville) 27) Pleasants Valley Road and Mix Canyon Road (Vacaville) 28) Phoenix Park (Sacramento) 29) Jepson Prairie Preserve (Dixon) FOOTHILLS OF THE SIERRA Northern 30) Buttermilk Bend Trail (Bridgeport) 31) Independence Trail (Nevada City) 32) Drum Powerhouse Road (Dutch Flat) 33) Yankee Jim's Road (Colfax) 34) Ponderosa Way (Auburn) 35) Pine Hill Ecological Preserve (Placerville) Central and Southern 36) Electra Road (Jackson) 37) Camp Nine Road (Angel's Camp) 38) Red Hill Road (Chinese Camp) 39) Hite's Cove Trail (El Portal) 40) Kern River Canyon (Bakersfield) CASCADES 41) Mount Shasta (Mt. Shasta) 42) Lassen National Park (Chester) HIGH SIERRA Northern 43) Feather River Canyon (CA70) 44) Butterfly Valley (Quincy) 45) Sierra Buttes and the Lakes Basin (Sierra City) 46) Sagehen Creek (Hobart Mills) 47) Castle Peak (Truckee) 48) Lake Tahoe Basin 49) Luther Pass (CA89) 50) Carson Pass (CA88) Central and Southern 51) Yosemite National Park 52) Mosquito Flat to Mono Pass trail (Tom's Place) 53) Onion Valley and Kearsarge Pass in Kings Canyon National Park (Independence) NORTHEASTERN CORNER 54) Modoc Plateau (Alturas) 55) Warner Mountains (Alturas) EAST OF THE SIERRA Northern 56) Freel Peak (South Lake Tahoe) 57) Monitor Pass (Markleeville) 58) Topaz Lake (Topaz) Central and Southern 59) Benton area (Benton) 60) White Mountains (Bishop) 61) Alabama Hills (Lone Pine) 62) California Desert Conservation Area (Inyokern) SOUTHERN DESERTS Mojave 63) Gorman Hills (Gorman) 64) Antelope Valley/Ripley Desert Woodland State Park (Lancaster) 65) Death Valley National Monument Sonoran 66) Joshua Tree National Park (Twentynine Palms) 67) Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (Ocotillo) The Wildflower Months and their Flowers late January-February March April May June July August September October Featured Flowers Plants in this Book that are Endemic to California Plants in this Book on the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants Other Flower Locations Indicated in the Text (Map) References About the Author Indexes Scientific names Common names

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Book SynopsisProvides an overview of native and honey bee biology and offers tools for identifying the most common bees of California and the Western United States. This title highlights bees' ties to our own lives, the food we eat, and the habitat we provide, and suggests ways to support bees in our own backyards.Trade Review"The book will be appreciated by everyone interested in gardening and those who want to know more about biodiversity. Highly recommended." -- J. M. Gonzalez Choice "Whether you are interested in nature or are an avid Central Coast gardener and recognize the fact that bees are important to the success you have growing fruits, vegetables and flowers, this a guide you'll want to own." -- Robert Walch The Salinas Californian "If you are interested in bees or rely on them to make your garden thrive, this illustrated natural history guidebook is a must-read." -- Bob Walch CoastViews Magazine

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Book SynopsisProvides an overview of native and honey bee biology and offers tools for identifying the most common bees of California and the Western United States. This title highlights bees' ties to our own lives, the food we eat, and the habitat we provide, and suggests ways to support bees in our own backyards.Trade Review"The book will be appreciated by everyone interested in gardening and those who want to know more about biodiversity. Highly recommended." -- J. M. Gonzalez Choice "Whether you are interested in nature or are an avid Central Coast gardener and recognize the fact that bees are important to the success you have growing fruits, vegetables and flowers, this a guide you'll want to own." -- Robert Walch The Salinas Californian "If you are interested in bees or rely on them to make your garden thrive, this illustrated natural history guidebook is a must-read." -- Bob Walch CoastViews MagazineTable of ContentsPreface AN INTRODUCTION TO BEES What Are Bees? Importance of Bees Bee Diversity Bee Morphology Bee Life Cycles Evolution of Social Behavior: Social versus Solitary Bees Parasites and Robbers Other Parasites and Predators Nesting Pollination Basics Ecosystem Services and Bees Conservation of Bees and Other Pollinators Studying Bees Identifying Bees BEE FAMILY AND GENUS ACCOUNTS Plasterer or Polyester Bees (Family Colletidae) Yellow-faced Bees or Masked Bees (Genus Hylaeus) Polyester Bees or Digger Bees (Genus Colletes) Sweat Bees (Family Halictidae) Sweat Bees (Genus Halictus) Green Sweat Bees (Genus Agapostemon) Sweat Bees (Genus Lasioglossum) Sweat Bees (Genus Dufourea) Cuckoo Bees (Genus Sphecodes) Mining Bees (Family Andrenidae) Digger Bees or Miner Bees (Genus Andrena) Panurgine Bees (Genus Panurginus) Miner Bees (Genus Perdita) Leaf-cutter Bees or Mason Bees (Family Megachilidae) Resin Bees or Mason Bees (Genus Dianthidium) Carder Bees (Genus Anthidium) 93 Large Leaf-cutter Bees (Genus Megachile) Small Leaf-cutter Bees or Mason Bees (Genus Osmia) Leaf-cutter Bees (Genus Ashmeadiella) Mason Bees (Genus Hoplitis) Mason Bees (Genus Heriades) Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble,and Honey Bees (Family Apidae) Honey Bees (Genus Apis) Squash Bees (Genus Peponapis) Habropoda Bees (Genus Habropoda) Cuckoo Bees (Genus Nomada) Mining Bees (Genus Anthophora) Bumble Bees (Genus Bombus) Long-horned Bees or Sunflower Bees (Genus Diadasia) Long-horned Bees (Genus Melissodes) Large Carpenter Bees (Genus Xylocopa) Small Carpenter Bees (Genus Ceratina) Long-horned Bees (Genus Eucera) Long-horned Bees (Genus Tetraloniella) Cuckoo Bees (Genus Triepeolus) Appendix 1: Bee Families and Genera Found in California Appendix 2: Key to Females of Genera Included in This Book Glossary Resources Index

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Book SynopsisNatural history, the deliberate observation of the environment, is arguably the oldest science. This title chronicles the rise, decline, and ultimate revival of natural history within the realms of science and public discourse.Trade Review"An engaglng writing style... Highly recommended." -- D.A. Lovejoy Choice "Anderson writes with infectious energy; he has a sharp eye for details and a gift for spinning a good story... This book is a great read and should be required in any course on natural history, ?eld biology, or the history of ecology." Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and EnvironmentTable of ContentsContents List of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgments Introduction: Adam's Task, Job's Challenge 1. From Hunter-Gatherers to Kings of Kings 2. A Wonderful Man: Aristotle and Greek Natural History 3. The Spoils of an Empire 4. An Emperor and His Descendants 5. New Worlds 6. Ray, Linnaeus, and the Ordering of the World 7. Journeys Near and Far 8. Before the Origin 9. Forms Most Beautiful: Darwin 10. The Geography of Nature: Humboldt 11. Hearts of Light: Wallace and Bates 12. Spoils of Other Empires 13. Breadfruit and Icebergs 14. Naturalists in New England: Thoreau, Agassiz, and Gray 15. From Muir and Alexander to Leopold and Carson 16. The Slow Death (and Resurrection) of Natural History Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisGrasses and grasslands are of increasing interest to conservationists, biologists, and gardeners. Organized alphabetically, this book covers common native and naturalized grasses and, to help identify them, also features over 180 color illustrations.Trade Review"Smith has written what should become the primary field guide to grasses in California." -- J. Cummings CHOICE

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Book SynopsisThey change color depending on their mood. They possess uniquely adapted hands and feet distinct from other tetrapods. They feature independently movable eyes. This comprehensive volume delves into these fascinating details and thorough research about one of the most charismatic families of reptiles--Chameleonidae. Written for professional herpetologists, scholars, researchers, and students, this book takes readers on a voyage across time to discover everything that is known about chameleon biology: anatomy, physiology, adaptations, ecology, behavior, biogeography, phylogeny, classification, and conservation. A description of the natural history of chameleons is given, along with the fossil record and typical characteristics of each genus. The state of chameleons in the modern world is also depicted, complete with new information on the most serious threats to these remarkable reptiles.Trade Review"Taken overall, this book is an excellent and timely addition to the natural history literature for both professional biologists and other chameleon aficionados." -- Robin Andrews The Quarterly Review of Biology 90, no. 1Table of ContentsContributors Foreword 1 Biology of the Chameleons: An Introduction Krystal A. Tolley and Anthony Herrel 2 Chameleon Anatomy Christopher V. Anderson and Timothy E. Higham 2.1 Musculoskeletal Morphology 2.2 External Morphology and Integument 2.3 Sensory Structures 2.4 Visceral Systems 3 Chameleon Physiology Anthony Herrel 3.1 Neurophysiology 3.2 Muscle Physiology 3.3 Metabolism, Salt, and Water Balance 3.4 Temperature 3.5 Skin Pigmentation, Color Change, and the Role of Ultraviolet Light 3.6 Developmental Physiology 4 Function and Adaptation of Chameleons Timothy E. Higham and Christopher V. Anderson 4.1 Locomotion 4.2 Feeding 5 Ecology and Life History of Chameleons G. John Measey, Achille Raselimanana, and Anthony Herrel 5.1 Habitat 5.2 Life-History Traits 5.3 Foraging and Diet 5.4 Predators 6 Chameleon Behavior and Color Change Devi Stuart-Fox 6.1 Sensory Systems and Modes of Communication 6.2 Color Changes 6.3 Social and Reproductive Behavior 6.4 Sexual Dimorphism: Body Size and Ornamentation 6.5 Antipredator Behavior 7 Evolution and Biogeography of Chameleons Krystal A. Tolley and Michele Menegon 7.1 Evolutionary Relationships 7.2 Diversity and Distribution 7.3 Regional Diversity 7.4 Patterns of Alpha Diversity 7.5 Patterns of Beta Diversity 8 Overview of the Systematics of the Chamaeleonidae Colin R. Tilbury 8.1 Evolution of Methodology in Chameleon Taxonomy 8.2 Current Status of Taxonomy of the Chamaeleonidae 8.3 Subfamilial Groupings within Chamaeleonidae 8.4 Overview of Extant Genera 9 Fossil History of Chameleons Arnau Bolet and Susan E. Evans 9.1 Phylogenetic Relationships of Iguania and Acrodonta 9.2 Fossil Record of Acrodonta 9.3 Origins of Acrodonta 9.4 Origins of Chamaeleonidae 10 Chameleon Conservation Richard Jenkins, G. John Measey, Christopher V. Anderson, and Krystal A. Tolley 10.1 Conservation Status of Chameleons 10.2 Trade in Chameleons 10.3 Chameleons and Global Change 10.4 The Way Forward Appendix Abbreviations References Photo Credits Index

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Book SynopsisThe Northern California coast - from Monterey County to the Oregon border - is home to some of the richest avian habitats on the North American continent. This book provides a comprehensive ecological overview of this extensive and diverse region.Trade Review"A handy, user-friendly reference ... Produced with real knowledge, care and affection, this guide serves as a wonderful companion." -- Laura Herrell American Reference Books Annual (ARBA)Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION Boundaries Climate Habitats Taxonomy: Subspecies, Species, and Superspecies Plumage of Birds Dimorphism and Monomorphism Seasons and Migration Ethics of Birding FAMILY AND SPECIES ACCOUNTS Ducks, Geese, and Swans Loons Grebes Albatross Shearwaters and Fulmars Storm-Petrels Cormorants and Pelicans Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, and Ibis Vultures, Ospreys, Kites, Eagles, and Hawks Rails, Gallinules, and Coots Shorebirds Skuas and Jaegers Alcids Gulls and Terns Gallinaceous Birds Pigeons and Doves Owls Swifts Kingfishers Woodpeckers Falcons Perching Birds (Passerines) BIRDING OPPORTUNITIES AND ROADSIDE NATURE CENTERS Seasonal Occurrence Charts Glossary References Index

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Book SynopsisDescribes the natural history of California - a state with a greater range of landforms, a greater variety of habitats, and more kinds of plants and animals than any area of equivalent size in all of North America. This book focuses on each distinctive region of the state, addressing its climate, rocks, soil, plants, and animals.Trade Review"...if you are an explorer or even would-be explorer of California’s multivariate landscapes, you should find space for Natural History of California on your reference shelf." * Sierra *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Preface Introduction 1 * CALIFORNIA'S NATURAL REGIONS 2 * BASIC ECOLOGY 3 * BASIC GEOLOGY 4 * SIERRA NEVADA 5 * MOUNTAINTOPS 6 * PACIFIC NORTHWEST 7 * COAST RANGES 8 * CISMONTANE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: MAINLAND AND ISLANDS 9 * CALIFORNIA'S DESERTS 10 * THE GREAT CENTRAL VALLEY 11 * INLAND WATERS AND ESTUARIES Epilogue Noteworthy Publications Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This is an excellent introduction and a good launching point for further inquiry into understanding our planet’s coasts." * CHOICE *"Highly recommend[ed]. . . . to all coastal scientists, managers, and planners and anyone concerned about the future of our extensive global coastlines. This book serves both as a comprehensive and artfully illustrated guide to the science behind coastal processes and hazards, and an environmental call to action to address the crisis we are facing for the majority of the world’s population." * Coastal Management *"A concise overview of current . . . knowledge of these threats, and is a valuable reference for anyone concerned about the well-being of coastal zones, particularly the next generation of planners and politicians." * Conservation Biology *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments PART ONE. INTRODUCTION TO HUMANS AND COASTS 1. Human Settlement of the Coastal Zone PART TWO. NATURAL PROCESSES AND HAZARDS AFFECTING COASTAL REGIONS 2. Coastal Tectonics and Hazards 3. Tropical Cyclones, Hurricanes, and Typhoons 4. Storms, Waves, Coastal Erosion, and Shoreline Retreat 5. Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise PART THREE. IMPACTS OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON COASTS 6. Marine Pollution 7. Plastic and Marine Debris 8. Petroleum and the Coastal Zone 9. Coastal Power Plants 10. Renewable Energy from the Coastal Zone 11. Groundwater and Petroleum Withdrawal: Subsidence and Seawater Intrusion 12. Desalination: Fresh Water from the Ocean 13. Carbon Dioxide, Climate Change, and Ocean Acidification 14. Coral Reefs and Threats to Their Health and Survival 15. Fishing, Overfishing, and Aquaculture 16. Aquatic Invasive Species 17. Sand, Dams, and Beaches Index

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