Natural History Books

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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Book SynopsisTrees were central to Henry David Thoreau's creativity as a writer, his work as a naturalist, his thought, and his inner life. This book explores Thoreau's deep connections to trees: his keen perception of them, the joy they gave him, the poetry he saw in them, his philosophical view of them, and how they fed his soul.Trade Review"Writer and former Boston Globe reporter Richard Higgins culls a selection of Thoreau's writings on trees from his voluminous journals. Higgins gathers a satisfying assemblage, one that showcases Thoreau's deep reverence for the oaks and elms, pines and birches, rising into the sky in Concord. Short essays open each chapter, revealing Higgins to be a sensitive observer both of his environment and of Thoreau's writing." Boston GlobeTable of ContentsForeword by Robert D. Richardson A Note on Sources Introduction: Speaking the Language of Trees 1. AN EYE FOR TREES Against the Sky a Tree Has Parts 2. A HEART FOR TREES Heartwood 3. A POET’S TREES Woodplay 4. A MIND FOR TREES Forest Lessons 5. A SOUL FOR TREES As High a Heaven 6. MY EMBLEM, THE PINE Paeans to the Pine 7. KNIGHTING ELMS Death of a Concord Kingpost 8 . A KINGDOM OF PRIMITIVE OAKS Boxborough’s Ancient Oaks 9. TRANSFORMED BY SNOW A World Made New 10. IN A BARQUE OF BARK Sailing a Sea of Green Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography List of Thoreau Excerpts Illustration Credits Index

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Book SynopsisIn recent years, Peru has transformed from a war-torn country to a global high-end culinary destination. Connecting chefs, state agencies, global capital, and Indigenous producers, this gastronomic revolution makes powerful claims: food unites Peruvians, dissolves racial antagonisms, and fuels development. Gastropolitics and the Specter of Race critically evaluates these claims and tracks the emergence of Peruvian gastropolitics, a biopolitical and aesthetic set of practices that reinscribe dominant racial and gendered orders. Through critical readings of high-end menus and ethnographic analysis of culinary festivals, guinea pig production, and national-branding campaigns, this work explores the intersections of race, species, and capital to reveal links between gastronomy and violence in Peru. Trade Review"The book presents a stunning and innovative analysis of the politics of Peru’s recent gastronomic boom. . . .[it] is at the forefront of scholarly discussions on the topic and deserves a wide readership among anthropologists and food studies scholars working on food, race, and nationalism in a range of geographic settings." * Gastronomica *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface: Understories Acknowledgments Introduction: Stories of Resurgence and Coloniality Part One: Structures of Accumulation Interlude: Hauntings 1 • Gastropolitics and the Nation Interlude: Eating the Nation 2 • Cooking Ecosystems: The Beautiful Coloniality of Virgilio Martínez Interlude: "Gastronomy Is a Display Case" 3 • Staging Difference: The Gastropolitics of Inclusion and Recognition Part Two: Narratives from the Edge Interlude: "Apega Needs Us to Look Pretty" 4 • Gastropolitics Otherwise: Stories in and of the Vernacular Interlude: Of Humor and Violence 5 • Guinea Pig Matters: Figuring Race, Sex, and Nation Interlude: Chemical Castration 6 • Death of a Guinea Pig Epilogue. Huacas Rising Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisIn recent years, Peru has transformed from a war-torn country to a global high-end culinary destination. Connecting chefs, state agencies, global capital, and Indigenous producers, this gastronomic revolution makes powerful claims: food unites Peruvians, dissolves racial antagonisms, and fuels development. Gastropolitics and the Specter of Race critically evaluates these claims and tracks the emergence of Peruvian gastropolitics, a biopolitical and aesthetic set of practices that reinscribe dominant racial and gendered orders. Through critical readings of high-end menus and ethnographic analysis of culinary festivals, guinea pig production, and national-branding campaigns, this work explores the intersections of race, species, and capital to reveal links between gastronomy and violence in Peru. Trade Review"The book presents a stunning and innovative analysis of the politics of Peru’s recent gastronomic boom. . . .[it] is at the forefront of scholarly discussions on the topic and deserves a wide readership among anthropologists and food studies scholars working on food, race, and nationalism in a range of geographic settings." * Gastronomica *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface: Understories Acknowledgments Introduction: Stories of Resurgence and Coloniality Part One: Structures of Accumulation Interlude: Hauntings 1 • Gastropolitics and the Nation Interlude: Eating the Nation 2 • Cooking Ecosystems: The Beautiful Coloniality of Virgilio Martínez Interlude: "Gastronomy Is a Display Case" 3 • Staging Difference: The Gastropolitics of Inclusion and Recognition Part Two: Narratives from the Edge Interlude: "Apega Needs Us to Look Pretty" 4 • Gastropolitics Otherwise: Stories in and of the Vernacular Interlude: Of Humor and Violence 5 • Guinea Pig Matters: Figuring Race, Sex, and Nation Interlude: Chemical Castration 6 • Death of a Guinea Pig Epilogue. Huacas Rising Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisThis thorough and meticulous study, the result of nearly a quarter-century of research, examines the island biogeography of plants on continental islands in Barkley Sound, British Columbia. Invaluable both because of its geographical setting and because of the duration of the study, Plants on Islands summarizes the diversity, dynamics, and distribution of the approximately three hundred species of plants on more than two hundred islands. Martin Cody uses his extensive data set to test various aspects of island biogeographic theory. His thoughtful analysis, constrained by taxon and region, elucidates and enhances the understanding of the biogeographic patterns and dynamics. He provides an overview of the basic theory, concepts, and analytical tools of island biogeography. Also discussed are island relaxation to lower equilibrium species numbers post-isolation, plant distributions variously limited by island area, isolation and climatic differences, adaptation to local abiotic and biotic environments within islands, and the evolution of different island phenotypes. The book concludes with a valuable consideration of equilibrium concepts and of the interplay of coexistence and competition. Certain to challenge, Plants on Islands is among the first books to critically analyze the central tenets of the theory of island biogeography.Table of ContentsPreface1. INTRODUCTION2. ISLANDS IN BARKLEY SOUND, BRITISH COLUMBIA Geography and History Geology and Topography Climate More Island Geography and Topography Flora and Vegetation Methodological Notes 3. ISLAND BIOGEOGRAPHY: CONCEPTS, THEORY, AND DATA The Basic Model Some Embellishments Incidence Functions Colonization and Extinction Data Historical Legacies Generalities, Specifics, and Modifications of the M/W Model4. SPECIES NUMBER, ISLAND AREA, AND ISOLATION Equilibrium or Nonequilibrium Species Numbers? Variation in Species Counts on Islands Cumulative Species Numbers Species Richness on Islands5. NESTEDNESS AND ASSEMBLY RULES Inferences from Species-by-Sites Matrices Forest Species Shoreline Habitats Edge Habitats6. SPECIES TURNOVER IN SPACE AND TIME Colonization and Extinction, Persistence and Turnover Species Turnover in Time, and Island Size Species Turnover in Space7. DISPERSAL SYNDROMES, INCIDENCE, AND DYNAMICS Dispersal in Plants: Options Ferns Fruiting Shrubs Hydrochores: Drifters on the Sea Anemochores: Drifters on the Wind 8. ECOLOGICAL AND EVOLUTIONARY SHIFTS ON CONTINENTAL ISLANDS Alien Invaders Ecological Shifts in Impoverished Biotas Evolutionary Shifts in Isolated Populations9. SYNOPSIS: LESSONS FROM A CONTINENTAL ARCHIPELAGO The Barkley Sound Scene Is There an Equilibrium out There? Colonization and Extinction Dynamics Coexistence and a Potential Role for Competition Adaptation, Evolution, ConservationAppendixes References Index

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Book SynopsisOver the past 100years,visitorlearningat America's national parks hasgrown and evolved. Today, there are over 400 National Park Service (NPS) sites, representingover eightymillion acres. Sites exist in every USstate and territory and are located on land, at sea, in remote areas, and in major urban centers. Every year, more than 300 million people visit national parks, and several million of them are children engaged in one of many educational programs hosted by the NPS. America's Largest Classrooms offers insight and practical advice for improving educational outreach at national parksas well as suggestions for classroom educators on how to meaningfully incorporate parks into their curricula. Viaa wide collectionof case studiesranging from addressing inclusivity at parks and public lands to teaching about science and social issuesthis book illustrates innovations and solutions thatwill be of interest to nature interpreters, outdoor educators, and policy makers, as well as professors Table of ContentsList of Contributors Foreword. National Parks: “America’s Best” Outdoor Classrooms Milton Chen Preface Acknowledgments SECTION I. THE LONG VIEW OF LEARNING IN THE PARKS 1 Dynamic Learning Landscapes: The Evolution of Education in Our National Parks Julia Washburn 2 Commentary: Perspectives on Heritage Leadership Theresa Coble 3 Invoking the Spirit of History on the Journey through Hallowed Ground James A. Percoco 4 Two Different Ways of Knowing the Glacier Area Donal Carbaugh SECTION II. FEEDBACK LOOPS: SYSTEMS AND SCIENCE LEARNING 5 Learning about Climate Change in Our National Parks Shawn Davis and Jessica L. Thompson 6 Place-Based Education at Teton Science Schools: Inspiring Curiosity, Engagement, and Leadership in National Parks and Beyond Kevin Krasnow, Nate McClennen, Amanda Kern, Patrick Leary, and Greg Peck 7 Three-Dimensional Learning: “Upping the Game” in Citizen Science Projects Ana K. Houseal 8 Mentoring Mountain Raingers: Beyond Basic Hydrological Field Research in the Great Smoky Mountains Douglas K. Miller SECTION III. HEALTH AND SELF: EMPOWERING LEARNING IN PARKS 9 Learning Environmental Psychology in the National Parks Donna K. McMillan 10 Can Signage Influence Healthy Behavior? The Case of Catoctin Mountain National Park Mallika Bose, Lara Nagle, Jacob Benfield, Heather Costigan, Jeremy Wimpey, and B. Derrick Taff 11 Learning Historic Places with Diverse Populations: An Exploratory Study of Student Perceptions Jenice L. View and Andrea Guiden 12 “I Felt Like a Scientist!”: Accessing America’s National Parks on Every Campus Natalie Bursztyn, Richard Goode, and Colleen McDonough SECTION IV. PARTNERING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEARNERS 13 Place-Based Learning Fosters Engagement and Opportunities for Innovative Partnerships Susan Newton 14 A Partnership Model of Education at Cuyahoga Valley National Park Deb Yandala, Katie Wright, and Jesús Sánchez 15 Pura Vida Inspires Diversity and Engagement at Grand Teton National Park Teddi (Hofmann) Freedman 16 What Really “Matters” at Stephen T. Mather Building Arts and Craftsmanship High School Deborah Shanley and Lois Adams-Rodgers 17 Learning Historic Places with Diverse Populations: Making the Case for Teacher-Ranger Professional Development Jenice L. View and Paula Cristina Azevedo SECTION V. STRATEGIC INTENTION FOR PARK LEARNING AND PRACTICE 18 Lessons Learned from Museums: Family Learning in National Parks Colleen Bourque and Ana K. Houseal 19 Identifying Outcomes for Environmental Education at National Parks Robert B. Powell, Marc J. Stern, and B. Troy Frensley 20 Valuing Education and Learning in the National Parks Tim Marlowe, Linda J. Bilmes, and John Loomis 21 Commentary: National Parks as Places for Free-Choice Learning Martin Storksdieck and John Falk Afterword Jonathan B. Jarvis Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This is an important book for people wanting to understand the interactions between social media and other platforms, truth, and the environment. While the book does not offer easy answers, it will be useful to scholars and practitioners in multiple fields who are working on their diagnosis of the problem." * Journal of Development Studies *"The significance of this book goes far beyond the environmental dimension, as the main argument and the detailed analysis to which it gives rise are of the utmost importance for understanding the social and political tensions that animate the world today." * New Global Studies *"Truth is a prime example of topical, generative, cutting-edge contemporary political ecology. . . .Thanks to Büscher’s versatility and clear language, the book is commendable to students of political ecology, sociology, online cultures, social theory scholars, conservation practitioners, and other interested non-academics." * Human Ecology *"Truth About Nature reads like a remedy thanks to its political-ecological outlook, with its feet on the empirical ground, its heart in the practical world, and its head in the conceptual sky; it stands contradictions and does what others only write about- dialectics." * Springer Nature *Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments Introduction: The Truth about Nature? Part One. (Meta)theoretical Bearings 1. Truth Tensions Part Two. The Political Economy of Platforms, Post-truth, and Power 2. Sharing Truths and Natures 3. Between Platforms, Post-truth, and Power Part Three. Environmentalism 2.0 4. Conservation 2.0: The Politics of Cocreation 5. Elephant 2.0: The Politics of Platforms 6. Kruger 2.0: The Politics of Distinction 7. Rhino 2.0: The Politics of Hysteria Conclusion: Speaking Truth to Power Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAs climate disruption intensifies the world over, Californians are finding solutions across a diversity of communities and landscapes. Though climate change is a global existential threat, we cannot wait for nation-states to solve the problem when there are actions we can take now to protect our own communities. In Climate Stewardship: Taking Collective Action to Protect California, readers are invited on a journey to discover that all life is interconnected and shaped by climate and to learn how communities can help tackle climate change. Climate Stewardship shares stories from everyday people and shows how their actions enhance the resilience of communities and ecosystems across ten distinct bioregions. Climate science that justifies these actions is woven throughout, making it easy to learn about Earth's complex systems. The authors interpret and communicate these stories in a way that is enjoyable, inspiring, and even amusing. California is uniquely positioned to develop and implement novel solutions to widespread climate challenges, owing to the state's remarkable biogeographic diversity and robust public science programs. Produced in collaboration with the UC California Naturalist Program, Climate Stewardship focuses on regenerative approaches to energy, agriculture, and land and water use across forested, agricultural, and urban landscapes. The authors' hopeful and encouraging tone aims to help readers develop a sense that they, too, can act now to make meaningful change in their communities.Trade Review"The blend of accessible science with compelling human stories, focused on the most critical issue of our time, is the salient contribution of this timely book." * California History *Table of ContentsForeword by Greg Sarris Preface: United by Nature, Guided by Science Acknowledgments 1 Extreme Events: Life in the New Normal 2 Big Bay to Tech Town 3 A Changing Harvest 4 Keeping Forests Green and Snow White 5 Climate Canaries 6 Los Angeles Plants Itself 7 Riding the California Current In the End References Index

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPrologue Acknowledgments 1. Insects in the Web of Life 2. The Eaters of Insects 3. Fleeing and Staying under Cover 4. Hiding in Plain Sight 5. Bird Dropping Mimicry and Other Disguises 6. Flash Colors and Eyespots 7. Safety in Numbers 8. Defensive Weapons and Warning Signals 9. The Predators’ Countermeasures 10. Protection by Deception Epilogue Selected References Index

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Book SynopsisIn China, the weather has changed. Decades of reform have been shadowed by a changing meteorological normal: seasonal dust storms and spectacular episodes of air pollution have reworked physical and political relations between land and air in China and downwind. Continent in Dust offers an anthropology of strange weather, focusing on intersections among statecraft, landscape, atmosphere, and society. Traveling from state engineering programs that attempt to choreograph the movement of mobile dunes in the interior, to newly reconfigured bodies and airspaces in Beijing, and beyond, this book explores contemporary China as a weather system in the making: what would it mean to understand the rise of China literally, as the country itself rises into the air? Trade Review"Continent in Dust is a timely and critical intervention in the roles and relationships of China and Asia in weather-world-systems. . . . It is a welcome contribution to a growing conversation about how material, ecological and meteorological phenomena are mutually implicated with practices, knowledges and experiences of sovereignty, ethics, and sociality." * International Journal of Asian Studies *"Continent in Dust is a literary adventure." * Anthropology and Humanism *"Continent in Dust is an ambitious and intriguing book. A delightful read which should be widely utilized in teaching and discussions on contemporary China and planetary health and change." * The China Quarterly *"More than anything, Continent in Dust is an essential intervention into recent writings about the arts of living amid planetary uncertainty, precarity and ruin. Reading this book is like seeing the blue sky emerge from a dust storm’s haze. Jerry Zee shows us how to reorient our senses and conceptual toolkits to see onto other possible worlds." * Inner Asia *"The book reframes how we think and write about practical action and responses in the face of climate emergency." * Publics Books *"A groundbreaking book on the management of dust storm and air quality in China. . . . Zee’s book is an enduring meditation on the consequences of China’s modernisation." * China Perspectives *Table of ContentsContents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Apparatus A. Nightwind Introduction: Earthly Interphases Part I Wind-Sand Apparatus B. The Wind Tunnel 1. Machine Sky Apparatus C. A Sheet of Loose Sand 2. Groundwork Apparatus D. Five Thousand Years 3. Holding Patterns Part II Fine Particulate Matter 4. Particulate Exposures Apparatus E. Wildfires 5. City of Chambers Part III Continent in Dust Apparatus F. A Sinocene 6. Downwinds Apparatus G. Monsters Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisIn China, the weather has changed. Decades of reform have been shadowed by a changing meteorological normal: seasonal dust storms and spectacular episodes of air pollution have reworked physical and political relations between land and air in China and downwind. Continent in Dust offers an anthropology of strange weather, focusing on intersections among statecraft, landscape, atmosphere, and society. Traveling from state engineering programs that attempt to choreograph the movement of mobile dunes in the interior, to newly reconfigured bodies and airspaces in Beijing, and beyond, this book explores contemporary China as a weather system in the making: what would it mean to understand the rise of China literally, as the country itself rises into the air? Trade Review"Continent in Dust is a timely and critical intervention in the roles and relationships of China and Asia in weather-world-systems. . . . It is a welcome contribution to a growing conversation about how material, ecological and meteorological phenomena are mutually implicated with practices, knowledges and experiences of sovereignty, ethics, and sociality." * International Journal of Asian Studies *"Continent in Dust is a literary adventure." * Anthropology and Humanism *"Continent in Dust is an ambitious and intriguing book. A delightful read which should be widely utilized in teaching and discussions on contemporary China and planetary health and change." * The China Quarterly *"More than anything, Continent in Dust is an essential intervention into recent writings about the arts of living amid planetary uncertainty, precarity and ruin. Reading this book is like seeing the blue sky emerge from a dust storm’s haze. Jerry Zee shows us how to reorient our senses and conceptual toolkits to see onto other possible worlds." * Inner Asia *"The book reframes how we think and write about practical action and responses in the face of climate emergency." * Publics Books *"A groundbreaking book on the management of dust storm and air quality in China. . . . Zee’s book is an enduring meditation on the consequences of China’s modernisation." * China Perspectives *Table of ContentsContents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Apparatus A. Nightwind Introduction: Earthly Interphases Part I Wind-Sand Apparatus B. The Wind Tunnel 1. Machine Sky Apparatus C. A Sheet of Loose Sand 2. Groundwork Apparatus D. Five Thousand Years 3. Holding Patterns Part II Fine Particulate Matter 4. Particulate Exposures Apparatus E. Wildfires 5. City of Chambers Part III Continent in Dust Apparatus F. A Sinocene 6. Downwinds Apparatus G. Monsters Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisOne of Smithsonian Magazine's Favorite Books of 2022With wildlife thriving in cities, we have the opportunity to create vibrant urban ecosystems that serve both people and animals. The Accidental Ecosystem tells the story of how cities across the United States went from having little wildlife to filling, dramatically and unexpectedly, with wild creatures. Today, many of these cities have more large and charismatic wild animals living in them than at any time in at least the past 150 years. Why have so many citiesthe most artificial and human-dominated of all Earth's ecosystemsgrown rich with wildlife, even as wildlife has declined in most of the rest of the world? And what does this paradox mean for people, wildlife, and nature on our increasingly urban planet? The Accidental Ecosystem is the first book to explain this phenomenon from a deep historical perspective, and its focus includes a broad range of species and cities. Cities covered include New York City, Los Angeles, San FrancTrade Review"Historian Alagona skillfully demonstrates how America’s cities have become ‘weird wildlife refuges,’ in this hopeful account. He sets the stage by describing animal life in cities in times past: many metropolises were founded on sites of biological richness, but as cities grew, wildlife populations declined. But in the past few decades, that’s changed, and cities have become places with rich ecosystems that have fostered an ‘explosion of wildlife’. . . . Alagona argues that people must learn to live with wildlife." * Publishers Weekly *“Alagona shows that wildlife in urban areas can be a blessing, a curse, or both. Ultimately, he sees a golden opportunity to redefine our relationship with wildlife and perhaps with each other as we share urban ecosystems.” * Natural Resource Management Today *"Highly readable and relevant." * Forbes *"This book is equal parts history and science lessons, both of which are delivered in an accessible and engaging manner." * The Quarterly Review of Biology *"A marvelous history of the present. . . . an eminently teachable book." * California History *"The Accidental Ecosystem by Peter Alagona, explains why urban neighborhoods like yours and mine, are being slowly repopulated by wild animals. Repopulation is the key, because the locations of early cities were originally chosen for their access to water, forests, and surrounding agricultural resources." * Triangle Gardener *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction: Where the Wild Things Are, Now 1: Hot Spots 2: The Urban Barnyard 3: Nurturing Nature 4: Bambi Boom 5: Room to Roam 6: Out of the Shadows 7: Close Encounters 8: Home to Roost 9: Hide and Seek 10: Creature Discomforts 11: Catch and Release 12: Damage Control 13: Fast-Forward 14: Embracing the Urban Wild Coda: Lost and Found Notes Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Historian Alagona skillfully demonstrates how America’s cities have become ‘weird wildlife refuges,’ in this hopeful account. He sets the stage by describing animal life in cities in times past: many metropolises were founded on sites of biological richness, but as cities grew, wildlife populations declined. But in the past few decades, that’s changed, and cities have become places with rich ecosystems that have fostered an ‘explosion of wildlife’. . . . Alagona argues that people must learn to live with wildlife." * Publishers Weekly *“Alagona shows that wildlife in urban areas can be a blessing, a curse, or both. Ultimately, he sees a golden opportunity to redefine our relationship with wildlife and perhaps with each other as we share urban ecosystems.” * Natural Resource Management Today *"Highly readable and relevant." * Forbes *"This book is equal parts history and science lessons, both of which are delivered in an accessible and engaging manner." * The Quarterly Review of Biology *"A marvelous history of the present. . . . an eminently teachable book." * California History *"The Accidental Ecosystem by Peter Alagona, explains why urban neighborhoods like yours and mine, are being slowly repopulated by wild animals. Repopulation is the key, because the locations of early cities were originally chosen for their access to water, forests, and surrounding agricultural resources." * Triangle Gardener *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction: Where the Wild Things Are, Now 1: Hot Spots 2: The Urban Barnyard 3: Nurturing Nature 4: Bambi Boom 5: Room to Roam 6: Out of the Shadows 7: Close Encounters 8: Home to Roost 9: Hide and Seek 10: Creature Discomforts 11: Catch and Release 12: Damage Control 13: Fast-Forward 14: Embracing the Urban Wild Coda: Lost and Found Notes Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisBird Life of Coasts and Estuaries describes the bird life of the British coastline and adjacent off-shore waters from an ecological point of view, using information from research to show how bird distribution and abundance are related to important environmental variables such as marine currents, weather, coastal landform and the influence of man. First published in 1992, the book will appeal to the layman who wants to know more about coastal birds, the birder who wants to find out how birds interact with their environment and all those who are interested in the habitats that make up what is arguably Britain's most important natural asset.Table of ContentsPreface; Introduction; 1. The coastal environment; 2. The open sea; 3. Rocky shores, cliffs and shingle beaches; 4. Mudflats and sandy shores; 5. The coastal fringe; 6. Threats to coastal birds; Appendix; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisSouth Georgia is a remote and beautiful island with a varied and intriguing history. This extensively illustrated book is the only comprehensive account of the island, combining historical, geographical, commercial, scientific and political events in a remarkable tour de force. The account is written by a former officer of the British Antarctic Survey, Robert Headland, who spent several periods of scientific duty on the island, the first of these in 1977 greatly stimulating his interest in all aspects of this unique environment. He was present on the island in 1982 during the invasion by the Argentinian forces. Details of these and other events connected with the invasion are included in this book.Trade ReviewReview of the hardback: 'His deep interest in South Georgia and his detailed knowledge of its natural environment and history shines through in his comprehensive account of the island.' The Times Higher Education SupplementReview of the hardback: 'I assert at once that this is a truly splendid book by a knowledgeable scholar, catholic in interest and qualified by extensive personal experience of the island.' Geographical JournalTable of ContentsList of illustrations; Foreword Sir Rex Hunt CMG; Preface; 1. Geography, administration and population; 2. Discovery of and first landing on South Georgia; 3. Early history and the first epoch of sealing; 4. Expeditions, visits and other events on South Georgia from 1882; 5. Whaling, second sealing and settlement; 6. Travel and communications; 7. Physical sciences; the land, ocean and atmosphere; 8. The natural history of South Georgia; 9. Military action, events on South Georgia in 1982 and the island's future; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisMonth by month, star by star, object by object, Stephen James O''Meara takes readers on a celestial journey to many of the most prominent stars and constellations visible from mid-northern latitudes. Filled with interesting anecdotes about the stars and constellations and their intriguing histories, this book is both a useful guide for amateur astronomers, and a great first-time reference for those just starting out. After describing a constellation''s mythology, readers are guided in locating and identifying its brightest stars in the sky, as well as any other bright targets of interest - colourful stars, double or multiple stars, star clusters and asterisms, nebulae, galaxies, variable stars, and more. This book will help beginning stargazers become familiar with the stars and constellations visible from their backyards, and explore the brightest and best stars, nebulae, and clusters visible through inexpensive, handheld binoculars.Trade Review'O'Meara's writing inspires and his passion and enthusiasm for observing leaps off the pages.' Sky at Night Magazine'… O'Meara's book really did keep me interested from the outset. … the reader is left feeling as though they have truly learned about what they have seen. … Within each chapter there is interesting information that covers stars, nebulae, galaxies, star clusters etc. … allows those who have binoculars rather than a telescope to get a great deal of enjoyment out of looking up at the sky.' Astronomy Now'… a fine book that should encourage any possessor of simple optical aids to go out and seek for themselves what the night sky has to offer.' The Observatory'… I would highly recommend the book as a thorough grounding in visual observing and in the basic concepts of astronomy. It is well worth the money and my copy will get well used.' Gnomon'Bit by bit, we are fed with little gems of information that [enhance] our appreciation and understanding of what we are observing. It's for this very reason that I found this book enthralling, and quite enchanting. Stephen is an accomplished observer, but more importantly, he has the ability to put across his obvious excitement … [which] draws the reader into this fascinating subject …' Federation of Astronomical Societies Newsletter'… there's nobody who does a better job [than Stephen O'Meara] describing what he sees in the sky and helping us experience some of the enjoyment that he has … He's an observer and wants you to be one too.' Bill Pellerin, GuideStar'… simple but effective layout … clear illustrations appear throughout … don't miss that little spark of interest when newly seeing a bright star in the evening sky. Grab binoculars and Stephen O'Meara's book … to begin an adventure exploring an unlimited realm.' www.universetoday.comTable of ContentsTo the reader; The Spring Stars; 1. April; 2. May; 3. June; The Summer Stars; 4. July; 5. August; 6. September; The Autumn Stars; 7. October; 8. November; 9. December; The Winter Stars; 10. January; 11. February; 12. March; Appendix A. The Constellations; Appendix B. Nova hunting with binoculars; Index.

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Book SynopsisFrom aphids to flies, ladybirds to wasps, insects of all shapes and sizes share our homes and gardens. Now available in an updated edition, this volume explores the secrets and habits of more than one hundred little critters that are common to backyard Australia. It is an indispensable guide for nature lovers, gardeners and kids of all ages.

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Book SynopsisThe classic bestselling dog training book for the person with limited time who wants to train a working retriever fast.Containing revolutionary scientific information on the mental development of your pet, Water Dog is a step by step training book with no extraneous material. It covers everything from the day you get your puppy to the finished dog, showing you the complete training procedures step by step in picture sequence.It will show you not only what to expect of your dog but what your dog can expect of you. Full of information about using the right commands and utilizing the Dummy-Launch, a training device co-developed by the author, this how-to guide will make training easy, fast, and fun—for you and your dog.“Anyone who wants to try turning his dog into a well-mannered retriever will do well with Water Dog.”—The New York Times

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Book SynopsisA beautiful, heartfelt, funny, and inspiring collection of photos and stories that maps the relationship between canine New Yorkers and their human counterparts.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating look at rescue dogs--where they come from, why every dog lover should consider adopting one, and how to make them part of your family.America's leading undercover animal investigator, Pete Paxton, has, among other exploits, infiltrated more than seven hundred puppy mills, worked undercover to close one of the largest and most infamous puppy mills in the United States, and shuttered the most notorious trafficker of dogs for experimentation in history. In this book, he shares stories of the amazing dogs he has rescued and brought to loving families, and also offers invaluable guidance and wisdom for anyone living with rescue dogs.Far too many people think rescue dogs have irredeemable anxieties, behavior issues, or other problems. In truth, rescue dogs can--and do--become wonderful companions. This groundbreaking book will help readers understand these dogs' unique ways of thinking, learning, and loving, and leaves no questions unanswered about the pl

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Book Synopsis#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “The Uninhabitable Earth hits you like a comet, with an overflow of insanely lyrical prose about our pending Armageddon.”—Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday DemonWith a new afterwordIt is worse, much worse, than you think. If your anxiety about global warming is dominated by fears of sea-level rise, you are barely scratching the surface of what terrors are possible—food shortages, refugee emergencies, climate wars and economic devastation. An “epoch-defining book” (The Guardian) and “this generation’s Silent Spring” (The Washington Post), The Uninhabitable Earth is both a travelogue of the near future and a meditation on how that future will look to those living through it—the ways that warming promises to transform global politics, the meaning of technology and nature in the

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Book SynopsisUpdated for the first time in decades, this unparalleled reference work is the most comprehensive and authoritative guide to the birds of North America and now includes the latest information on conservation status and the effects of climate change--from the world's most trusted name in birding, beloved by millions of backyard enthusiasts and experts alike“If you’ve ever wondered what birds show up in your backyard or which species you see when your family is on vacation, then this beautiful, freshly updated bird guide from the National Audubon Society is perfect for you.” —Portland Book ReviewDeveloped by the creators of the best-selling Audubon field guides, this handsome volume is the result of a collaboration among leading scientists, scholars, taxonomic and field experts, photo editors, and designers. An indispensable reference, it covers more than 800 species, with over 3,500 full-color ph

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Book SynopsisUpdated for the first time in decades, this unparalleled reference work is the most comprehensive and authoritative guide to the trees of North America and now includes the latest information on conservation status and the effects of climate change--from the creators of the world's most trusted field guides, a go-to source for millions of nature lovers [Makes] it easier than ever to figure out which trees are in your yard or are along the trail while you’re hiking. Every nature lover needs this guide. —Portland Book ReviewThis handsome volume is the result of a collaboration among leading scientists, scholars, taxonomic and field experts, photo editors, and designers. An indispensable reference, it covers more than 540 species, with nearly 2,500 full-color photographs--including images of the bark, fruit, and flowers, as well as photos that illustrate leaf shape and seasonal color changes. For

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Book SynopsisThe most efficient dog training book for retrievers hunting upland birds and waterfowl—from the author of Water Dog.This time-proven guide by legendary trainer Richard A. Wolters offers a step-by-step method for completely training your dog, resulting in a skilled hunting retriever by the time your pet is one year old. In Game Dog, you’ll discover:• How to choose a pup—what to look for, where to find the best• The five critical periods of a dog's mental development• Which retrievers are easier to train—males or females• How to get two dogs to work together• Why feeding time is more than food• How to teach your dog to track, quarter, and swim after game• How to get your dog to betray his instincts and obey your commands• Which tasks your dog must master to qualify as a hunter• And much more...Ful

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling dog training book that will give you the perfect family pet—from the author of Water Dog.This time-proven guide by legendary trainer Richard A. Wolters offers a step-by-step method for completely training your dog, regardless of breed or age—in just sixteen weeks. Whether you’re six or sixty, you can learn to train your dog quickly and effectively—taking only minutes a day. In Family Dog, you’ll discover:• How to choose the right dog for your family and lifestyle• The fundamentals of training—from housebreaking to basic commands to teaching tricks• The key to your dog''s healthy mental development• The benefits of play and relaxation• How to guide your dog through his first critical growth periods• Talking with your dog—it''s not what you say but how you say it• Children and dogs—learni

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