Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile have created the best single-volume guide to the hobby and profession of beekeeping.
The Beekeeper's Handbook provides step-by-step instructions for setting up an apiary, handling bees, and working throughout the season to maintain a healthy colony and a generous supply of honey. Various colony care options and techniques are explained so that beekeepers can make the best choices for their hives.
The Beekeeper's Handbook is an invaluable resource for both beginner and veteran beekeepers.
This fully updated and expanded fifth edition includes:
This guide is an essential companion for those interested in stewardship and conservation of the region.
The Northern Forest Region lies between the oak forests of the eastern United States and the boreal forests of eastern Canada. It is, collectively, one of the largest and most continuous temperate forests left in the world and, like much of the biosphere, it is at risk.
With multi-image composite photos that allow for unparalleled depth and clarity, this unique guide illustrates the myriad varied and beautiful--and often overlooked--mosses of the Northern Forest.
-Large, easy-to-use format
-Easily characterize and compare over 300 moss species
-High-definition composite images, ecological diagrams, habitat keys, and a visual glossary
-Accompanying large-scale foldout charts also available
A complete online archive of images and articles, including digital atlases, is available at northernforestatlas.org.
This fully updated second edition of the best-selling Weeds of the Northeast provides lavish illustrations for ready identification of more than 500 common and economically important weeds in the Northeast and in the Upper Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states. This new edition covers the region south to North Carolina, north to Maine and southern Canada, and west to Wisconsin. This practical guide includes descriptions and photos of floral and vegetative characteristics, giving anyone who works with plants the ability to identify weeds before they flower.
- A broadened range and prevalence of important weeds in the Northeast, as well as the Upper Midwest and Mid-Atlantic United States
- Standardized species descriptions with a wealth of information in a condensed and comprehensive format--more than 200 new species accounts
- Easy identification through a dichotomous key, detailed descriptions, and images
- Comparison tables make it easy to differentiate between many closely related and similar species
Weeds of the Northeast is a comprehensive reference book for those aspects of weed biology and ecology important to weed management. It will serve home gardeners and landscape managers as well as pest management specialists and allergists.
Flourishing in the Age of Climate Change explores skills we need to successfully navigate the distinctive environmental, social, and economic challenges of the twenty-first century. Our inability to address increasing resource constraints, social conflict, and ecological decline lead many toward a deep pessimism that saps motivation for change.
Drawing on research from environmental science, ethics, psychology, sociology and educational theory, William M. Throop shows why cultivating underdeveloped skills involved in collaboration, humility, frugality and systems thinking can enable flourishing within our context. He also illustrates how we can strengthen such skills individually and how education can scale up their cultivation, which will be essential for achieving sustainability.
Flourishing in the Age of Climate Change is a hopeful, practical resource for readers passionate about creating a world where we can thrive, and where flourishing is widespread.
Birds of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao is the essential guide for anyone traveling to those islands. It showcases the more than 280 species seen on Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao and provides descriptions of and directions to the best places to bird, from the famous white sand beaches to hidden watering holes to the majestic national parks.
Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao--the ABCs--located in the southwestern Caribbean, not far from Venezuela, share fascinating ecological features with the West Indies as well as the South American mainland, making birding on the islands unique. The identification portion of the book features endemic subspecies such as the Brown-throated Parakeet; a wide variety of wintering North American migrants; spectacular restricted-range northern South American species such as the Yellow-shouldered Parrot, Bare-eyed Pigeon, Troupial, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, and Yellow Oriole; and West Indian species including the Pearly-eyed Thrasher and Caribbean Elaenia.
Colorful introductory sections provide readers with a brief natural history of the islands, detailing the geography, geology, and general ecology of each. In the site guide that follows, Jeffrey V. Wells and Allison Childs Wells share their more than two decades of experience in the region, providing directions to the best birding spots. Clear, easy-to-read maps accompany each site description, along with notes about the species that birders are likely to find.
The identification section is arranged in classic field guide format and offers vivid descriptions of each bird, along with tips on how to identify them by sight and sound. The accounts also include current status and seasonality, if relevant, and common names in English, Dutch, and Papiamento, often inspired by the unique voices of the birds, such as the chibichibi (Bananaquit) and choco (Burrowing Owl). The accompanying color plates feature the beautiful work of illustrator Robert Dean.
The final section, on conservation, raises awareness about threats facing the birds and the habitats on which they rely and summarizes conservation initiatives and needs, offering recommendations for each island.
Few ecosystem destinations are as abundant in their biodiversity as Costa Rica. Having the right field guides in hand can make all the difference when you're enjoying the country's birdlife. Photo Guide to Birds of Costa Rica, which features 549 excellent photographs, is designed to be equally useful for two distinct sets of readers. First are birders new to birding--or new to birding in Costa Rica--who want a guide to the birds that one is most likely to see, as well as to a few of the rarer species that one would hope to encounter. It treats more than 40 percent (365) of the species known from Costa Rica but is a guide to at least 75 percent of the birds commonly seen in a week or so of birding. The book will also be welcomed by experienced birders in search of a companion volume to The Birds of Costa Rica, second edition, an illustrated guide to all the birds of Costa Rica. The photographs in the species accounts in Photo Guide to Birds of Costa Rica are accompanied by names, measurements, field marks, habitat and behavior, voice, status and distribution, and range maps.
The Northern Forest Region lies between the oak forests of the eastern United States and the boreal forests of eastern Canada. It is, collectively, one of the largest and most continuous temperate forests left in the world and, like much of the biosphere, it is at risk. This guide is an essential companion for those interested in stewardship and conservation of the region.
Through multi-image composite photos that allow for unparalleled depth and clarity, this unique guide illustrates the majority of the 265 species of woody plants present in the forest and its associated communities. With a visual glossary, nineteen quick guides, and five systematic sections, this book is intended as a quick reference for the rapid identification of twigs and leaves. It is an invaluable tool for foresters and an excellent teaching guide for all ages.
The inclusion of some of the more commonly used technical terms makes the book a good educational tool that can help people transition from amateur bryology to more advanced study.... Pope's inclusion of similar species in his species accounts and species lists eliminates some of the uncertainty that the user may be experiencing and maximizes the guide's use for both amateurs and those seeking to delve a little deeper into bryology.â- Rhodora
Mosses, liverworts, and hornworts are found throughout the world in a variety of habitats. They flourish particularly well in moist, humid forests, filling many ecological roles. They provide seedbeds for the larger plants of the community and homes to countless arthropods, they capture and recycle nutrients that are washed with rainwater from the canopy, and they bind the soil to keep it from eroding. This photo-based field guide to the more common or distinctive bryophytes of northeastern North America gives beginners the tools they need to identify most specimens without using a compound microscope. Ralph Pope's inviting text and helpful photographs cover not only the true mosses but also the Sphagnaceae (the peat mosses), liverworts, and hornworts.
The heart of any field guide is the ability to narrow down a large number of possibilities to a single species, and this book does that with a variety of keying strategies. Traditional dichotomous keys are included, and there are also quick keys based on habitat and special morphological characteristics. The organization of the species pages is by plant family, an arrangement likely to resonate with readers with some plant background or botanical interest.
Mosses, Liverworts, and Hornworts also features information on collecting, preserving, and identifying specimens to help hikers, naturalists, botanists, and gardeners find their way into this beautiful miniature world.
Sections on bryophyte biology and ecology provide taxonomic and ecological context.
This fully updated second edition of Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba offers a comprehensive and user-friendly guide to the identification of the more than 370 recorded species and 29 extant endemic species in the country. It incorporates changes to the composition of the avifauna of Cuba while remaining an accessible introduction to Cuban birds--including the irresistible Cuban Tody, the dazzling Cuban Trogon, and the diminutive Bee Hummingbird--the smallest species of bird in the world.
- All new design features 95 color plates and more than 700 images, depicting male, female and, when relevant, juvenile plumages.
- Species accounts include range maps, detailed descriptions, distinguishing characteristics, a list of habitats where the bird is found, behaviors, and vocalizations.
- Winter and breeding plumages are included for migratory species--extremely useful for identifying the large number of birds that migrate south from North America.
A definitive guide from the country's best birders, Arturo Kirkconnell and Orlando H. Garrido, Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba presents a wealth of knowledge accumulated over a lifetime of work.
Marine Fishes and Fisheries of New York documents the extraordinary diversity of fishes found within the state's inland marine waters and twelve nautical miles off the coastline. In this definitive resource for the region, Howard M. Reisman and Emerson C. Hasbrouck Jr. highlight 244 species alongside the fisheries and food chains to which they are vital.
Species profiles describe distribution and annual movements, anatomical, physiological and behavioral distinctions, ecological roles, and more. This up-to-date volume also features:
- Fishery management and sustainability practices
- More than 150 drawings and a color gallery
- QR codes linking to fish videos
Marine Fishes and Fisheries of New York is essential for professionals and enthusiasts looking to discover the region's abundance of unique and important fish species.
Lost Frogs and Hot Snakes reveals the thrills and travails that herpetologists experience when working with amphibians and reptiles in the wild. With essays from fifty field biologists, this volume, edited by Martha L. Crump, presents a multifaceted yet intimate look at life in pursuit of knowledge about the natural world.
From the beaches of Peru to the mountains of China, the stories in this collection place readers in the boots of field biologists as they watch, count, experiment, and survey. Some recall mishaps and misadventures--contending with leeches, dangling off a precipice while in a truck. Others tell of once-in-a-lifetime encounters--discovering a new frog species, spotting a rare snake. Together, these stories offer an understanding of what field biology is, what field biologists do, and how they go about doing it.
Written with candor, warmth, and a dash of humor, the stories in Lost Frogs and Hot Snakes will encourage readers to appreciate the value of engaging with nature and of the amphibians and reptiles so critical to the vitality of our planet.
Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and is one of the planet's richest places for bird diversity, especially when it comes to the number of endemic species. Brazil's Atlantic Forest region is one of the most dazzling of all. Immediately surrounding São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, this area of Brazil is also a relatively accessible area to birders from around the world.
Of these species, 140 are endemic and 105 near endemic to just this region; 83 of these are threatened. Modern and compact, this field guide provides illustrations of unparalleled quality, key field marks, and regional range maps to facilitate easy recognition of all species normally occurring in this vibrant and critically important area of Brazil.
This field guide is useful for trained ecologists, botanists, and naturalists, and is accessible to anyone else who wonders what is sprouting up from that sidewalk crack or in that corner of their suburban garden.â- Rhodora
In this field guide to the future, esteemed Harvard University botanist Peter Del Tredici unveils the plants that will become even more dominant in urban environments under projected future environmental conditions. These plants are the most important and most common plants in cities. Learning what they are and the role they play, he writes, will help us all make cities more livable and enjoyable.
With more than 1000 photos, readers can easily identify these powerful plants. Learn about the fascinating cultural history of each plant.
Ecological Guide to the Mosses and Common Liverworts of the Northeast is an essential introduction to identifying mosses and common liverworts found in the northeastern United States and Canada. This richly illustrated guide, organized by substrate, offers readers with little prior experience or knowledge an intuitive, easy-to-use method for distinguishing over 250 species of bryophytes in the field.
Sue Alix Williams teaches us how to narrow down species possibilities at a site by first paying attention to the particular substrate, such as a tree trunk or a river rock. Field and microscopic keys detail characteristics visible by the naked eye or through a microscope. Drawings of plant features placed side-by-side for quick comparison accompany photo galleries of species. With an illustrated overview of bryophyte terminology and tips for collecting specimens, Ecological Guide to the Mosses and Common Liverworts of the Northeast is an invaluable resource for outdoor enthusiasts looking to learn more about these marvelous plants.
The Northern Forest Region lies between the oak forests of the eastern United States and the boreal forests of eastern Canada. It is, collectively, one of the largest and most continuous temperate forests left in the world and, like much of the biosphere, it is at risk. This guide is an essential companion for those interested in stewardship and conservation of the region.
With multi-image composite photos that allow for unparalleled depth and clarity, this unique guide illustrates the myriad varied and beautiful--and often overlooked--grasses of the Northern Forest.
Large, easy-to-use format
Easily characterize and compare 166 grass species
High-definition composite images, ecological diagrams, habitat keys, and a visual glossary
The complete Northern Forest Atlas Guide collection is now available:
* Woody Plants of the Northern Forest
* Sedges of the Northern Forest
* Mosses of the Northern Forest
* Grasses of the Northern Forest
Companion foldout charts for field use are available for each photographic guide.
A complete online archive of images and articles, including digital atlases, is available at northernforestatlas.org.
Dangerous Snakes of Australia is an indispensable field guide to all 141 identified species of venomous elapid snakes on the continent. Through detailed species accounts, Mike Swan introduces readers to the physical features, habitat, behavior, and other distinctive characteristics of some of the most charismatic--and deadly--snakes in the world. The book additionally aims to further conservation efforts through providing important conservation information.
This easy-to-use volume features:
- Over 350 color photos, drawings, and range maps
- Coverage of both terrestrial and marine snakes
- Up-to-date descriptions of morphological features, habitats, behavior, and other natural history information
- Information on lethality, antivenoms, and the first aid treatment of snake bites
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ratings
Comprehensive and definitive, Dangerous Snakes of Australia is essential for both snake enthusiasts and professionals who are looking to learn more about and help protect these fascinating creatures.
In Quetzals, the renowned ornithologist Alan F. Poole introduces readers to one of the world's most alluring group of birds. Native to the cloud forests of Mexico, and Central and South America, quetzals have played an essential role in the cultures of those lands, where their radiant, brightly colored feathers have been worshipped as sacred objects and coveted as luxury goods for millennia.
Drawing on scientific and historical facts, Poole details the natural history and cultural significance of these legendary birds. He focuses on the most iconic of quetzal species, the Resplendent Quetzal, delving into its distinctive ecology and behavior. He offers an overview of four other known quetzal species--the Pavonine Quetzal, the Golden-headed Quetzal, the White-tipped Quetzal, and the Crested Quetzal--and traces their evolutionary descent from the trogons. Spectacular photographs and illustrations accompany details of quetzal ecology, the long history of their place in the Mayan and Aztec worlds, and current conservation efforts.
A celebration of quetzals and the forests that nurture them, Quetzals is a must-have for anyone who wants to better understand these awe-inspiring birds.
Pocket Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica introduces readers to all 470 amphibian and reptile species currently known to occur in the country. Drawing on thirty years of research and field study, Twan Leenders walks readers through the rich diversity of the country's herpetofauna--salamanders, frogs, crocodilians, turtles, lizards, snakes, and even the elusive, rarely seen caecilians. Numerous illustrations coupled with key field marks and copious pointers on how to distinguish similar looking species enable quick identification in the field.
This pocket guide features:
- 136 color plates and more than 700 photographs
- 48 black-and-white scientific illustrations
- Up-to-date species accounts and color-coded range maps
- ID boxes to help place individual species their appropriate category
Compact, richly illustrated, and written in a highly accessible manner, Pocket Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica is a must-have reference for those familiar with or new to the world of tropical herpetology.
Tropical Plants of Costa Rica is the essential guide to Costa Rica's native and exotic plant species. In this comprehensive volume, Willow Zuchowski introduces readers to an array of the country's dazzling and diverse flora--from rainforest giants over sixty meters in height to miniature orchids with petals that measure less than one millimeter in length.
Covering almost 600 species from all of Costa Rica's regions, Tropical Plants of Costa Rica includes 820 photographs and 120 black-and-white illustrations to aid in the identification of these plants. Detailed species accounts offer descriptions of the plants as well as a rich trove of information about their natural history, distribution, conservation status, potential medicinal uses, and role in human societies. This second edition--in a more compact size for easier use in the field--adds more than 100 species along with a new section focusing on the Osa Peninsula, many new photographs, and updates on scientific names.
The only book on the flora of the country intended for serious and casual plant enthusiasts alike, Tropical Plants of Costa Rica is an indispensable resource for the visitor, gardener, student, and researcher.
Butterflies of Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces introduces readers to over one hundred and twenty butterfly species documented in the Acadian region. Including contributions from researchers and community scientists, this volume is indispensable for anyone interested in the study and conservation of these ecologically important insects.
This user-friendly guide features:
- The first annotated checklist of the species and subspecies of Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island
- Species accounts covering habitat, behavior, threats, and more
- Color photographs, flight histograms, and distribution maps