Search results for ""Author Steven M. Goodman""

A marvelously illustrated reference to the natural wonders of one of the most spectacular places on earthSeparated from Africa’s mainland for tens of millions of years, Madagascar has evolved a breathtaking wealth of biodiversity, becoming home to thousands of species found nowhere else on the planet. The New Natural History of Madagascar provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis available of this island nation’s priceless biological treasures. Now fully revised and expanded, this beautifully illustrated compendium features contributions by more than 600 globally renowned experts who cover the history of scientific exploration in Madagascar, as well as the island’s geology and soils, climate, forest ecology, human ecology, marine and coastal ecosystems, plants, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. This invaluable two-volume reference also includes detailed discussions of conservation efforts in Madagascar that showcase several successful protected area programs that can serve as models for threatened ecosystems throughout the world. Provides the most comprehensive overview of Madagascar’s rich natural history Coedited by 18 different specialists Features hundreds of new contributions by world-class experts Includes hundreds of new illustrations Covers a broad array of topics, from geology and climate to animals, plants, and marine life Sheds light on newly discovered species and draws on the latest science An essential resource for anyone interested in Madagascar or tropical ecosystems in general, from biologists and conservationists to ecotourists and armchair naturalists

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An up-to-date pocket guide of two Malagasy protected areas. This bilingual French-English pocket guide covers two protected areas in southeastern Madagascar: the evergreen forests of Ranomafana and the high mountain zone of Andringitra. Given the proximity of the two parks to the national road that links Antananarivo (Tananarive) to the southwestern city of Toliara (Tulear) and its knowledgeable local guides, ecotourists can easily experience these largely untouched Malagasy ecosystems in all their splendor. With this book in hand, ecotourists traveling across this portion of the island and interested in the natural world will be able to discover and marvel at the region’s ecological complexity and beauty.

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In 1989, a book written by Martin E. Nicoll and Olivier Langrand was published on the protected areas of Madagascar, which heralded in a new era of conservation for this island nation. In the subsequent three decades, there was an important increase in inventories and studies on Madagascar’s terrestrial biota. This work led to significant changes in the systematics of Malagasy plants and animals, a large percentage unique to the island, and a notable augmentation in knowledge on Malagasy biodiversity. In addition, the considerable expansion of the protected area network, reinforcement of legal tools, and the development of new management modes and tools have contributed to a modernization of the protected area network. The purpose of these bilingual, French-English books is to present a large-scale update of information available from 98 terrestrial protected areas, various analyses to understand general trends in the conservation of these sites, and a synthesis to assess the needs for future scientific programs. Beautifully illustrated throughout with color maps, graphs, and photos, these three volumes will be an important reference for students, researchers, protected area managers, conservationists, and visiting ecotourists.

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This study of a thirteenth-century dwelling on Egypt's Red Sea Coast draws on multiple lines of evidence--including texts excavated at the site--to reconstruct a history of the structure and the people who dwelt within. The inhabitants participated in Nile Valley-Red Sea-Indian Ocean trade, transported Ḥāǧǧ pilgrims, sent grain to Mecca and Medina, and wrote sermons and amulets for the local faithful. These activities are detailed in the documents and fleshed out in the botanical, faunal, artifact, and stratigraphic evidence from the University of Chicago's excavations (1978-82). This compound eventually consisted of two houses and a row of storerooms and became the centre of mercantile activity at Quseir al-Qadim. Over time, as the number of named individuals who received shipping notes addressed to the "warehouse of Abū Mufarij" increased, living rooms and storerooms were added to accommodate this expansion of commerce. While most merchants were dealing in textiles, dates, and grains, additional commodities traded included perfumes, gemstone-decorated textiles, resist-dyed textiles, and porcelains. Specialist studies by Steven Goodman on the avian faunal remains and Wilma Wetterstrom on the macrobotanical finds reveal that the compound's occupants enjoyed a diet of chicken and Nile Valley produce such as grapes and watermelon, and they were supplemented by high-priced imports: nuts and fruits from around the Mediterranean, along with medicinal plants from as far away as India, indicate the wealth and status of this family of merchants. The evidence from this small portion of Quseir al-Qadim yields a rich local story that is a microcosm of Nile Valley-Red Sea-Indian Ocean trade under the last Ayyubid sultans of Egypt.

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The landscapes of Madagascar have long delighted zoologists, who have discovered, in and among the island's baobad trees and thickets, a dizzying array of animals, including something approaching one hundred species of lemur. Madagascar's mammal fauna, for example, is far more diverse, and more endemic, than early explorers and naturalists ever dreamed of. But in the 2,500 or so years since the arrival of the island's first human settlers, the vast majority of its forests have disappeared, and in the wake of this loss a number of species unique to Madagascar have vanished forever into extinction. In Extinct Madagascar, noted scientists Steven M. Goodman and William L. Jungers explore the recent past of these land animal extinctions. Beginning with an introduction to the geologic and ecological history of Madagascar that provides context for the evolution, diversification, and, in some cases, rapid decline of the Malagasy fauna, Goodman and Jungers then seek to recapture these extinct mammals in their environs. Aided in their quest by artist Velizar Simeonovski's beautiful and haunting paintings - images of both individual species and ecosystem assemblages reproduced here in full color - Goodman and Jungers reconstruct the lives of these lost animals and trace their relationships to those still living. Published in conjunction with an exhibition of Simeonovski's paintings set to open at the Field Museum, Chicago, in the fall of 2014, Goodman and Jungers' awe-inspiring book will serve not only as a sobering reminder of the very real threat of extinction, but also as a stunning tribute to Madagascar's biodiversity and a catalyst for further research and conservation.

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The latest research on the biodiversity of two protected areas in central eastern Madagascar. This bilingual French-English pocket guide covers two protected areas in central eastern Madagascar that are adjacent to each another. These sites encapsulate the biotic diversity of the medium altitude moist evergreen forests of the island and include two national parks, the extensively visited Analamazaotra, where a range of lemur species are well habituated to visitors, and the forests of Mantadia, a place ecotourists can experience a largely untouched Malagasy forest ecosystem and all of its splendors. Both parks are relatively close to Moramanga and near the main road linking Antananarivo (Tananarive) to the coastal city of Toamasina (Tamatave). Tourists visiting this fascinating area of Madagascar and interested in the natural world will be able to discover and marvel at the regional ecological complexity and beauty, and the combination of easy road access, excellent local guides speaking many different European languages, and a range of local accommodations visiting easy.

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The latest research into the biodiversity of three protected areas of northern Madagascar. This bilingual French-English pocket guide covers three protected areas in northern Madagascar that form a sort of natural tourist circuit for those traveling from Nosy Be to Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) or in the opposite direction. These sites encapsulate an important portion of the terrestrial biotic diversity of this ecologically diverse area of the island and include the lowland moist evergreen forests of Lokobe on the adjacent island of Nosy Be; the dry deciduous, humid semi-deciduous, and tsingy forests of Ankarana, north of Ambilobe; and the montane moist evergreen forests of Montagne d’Ambre, in close proximity to Antsiranana. As the result of varying geological formations and history, superimposed on differing climatic regimes, the flora and fauna of these three protected areas are dramatically different from one another, while their proximity enables visitors to the region to view and experience these contrasting biodiversity treasures. The manner and range of different details presented for each site allow ecotourists, whether nationals or people coming from overseas, to understand some of the unique aspects of each site and better enjoy their visits to them.

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