This series of "Habitats of...." volumes by Princeton University Press is absolutely first class and contributes in no small way to our understanding and enhanced enjoyment of the organisms of our choice.
Habitats of North America takes its place alongside the other titles in the series to be become an essential companion to your other field guides.
The introductory sections contain a mine of information and should not be missed. Herein lies the key to deriving maximum benefit from the text that follows.
No doubt many readers will already have some familiarity with the Köppen Climate Classification System, where each climate is assigned a simple two- or three-letter code, and this system is used throughout the book.
Birds are the most pursued organisms of all and there is heavy emphasis on them. Mammals, insects, reptiles and other components of the ecosystem are not neglected, but as the authors point out, a thousand birders may visit an area whereas a mere handful of moth enthusiasts might make the same pilgrimage.
Habitat for one is habitat for all, of course.
The coverage of habitat types is impressive, comprehensive while being succinct, and incredibly well illustrated. In fact my first perusual of the book was simply to go through it page by page basking in the pictures. The birder will be thrilled with the sheer number of high quality photographs, some of rare and seldom encountered species. I have still to find my first Agami Heron (p.177)! Would that I had taken the picture!
Sadly, when one deals with issues of habitat integrity and diversity, one is confronted with the stark reality of loss, fragmentation and degradation. We are a very long way from E.O. Wilson's proposal for half the Earth devoted to nature, and will probably never get there.
There are isolated success stories one must admit, but at most they represent the drop in the proverbial bucket - important, praiseworthy, but inconsequential in the global scheme of things.
Permit me to highlight just three statements extracted at random from the book.
Sonoran Desert - The main threat to the n. Sonoran Desert has been an explosion in human population.
Yucatán Dry Deciduous Forest - The dry forests of the Yucatán Peninsula have undergone substantial deforestation as a consequence of subsistence agriculture, deliberately set fires, agave cultivation and cattle ranching activities.
Nearctic Upland Rivers - River ecosystems are in crisis on a global scale.
By nature I am an optimist, but optimism is not to be confused with realism. The future does not look bright.
Enjoy what you can while you may. Pristine habitat and the future of wildlife is all too easily sacrificed on the altar of "progress".
That is unlikely to change any time soon.
Habitats of North America: A Field Guide for Birders, Naturalists and Ecologists - Princeton University Press
Phil Chaon and Iain Campbell
Paperback - US$35.00 - ISBN: 9780691245065
376 pages - 5.875 x 8.25 inches (14.69 x 20.625 cm)
Publishing date: 11 February, 2025
Great book and review. I am afraid that this administration will be changing the rules on federal wildlife habitat, they will not be good changes. Take care, have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteLooks a lovely book and the illustrations also look good.
ReplyDeleteThis looks to be an extremely interesting, fascinating read. Thanks for the head's up. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI think I am an optimistic pessimist. I hope for the best and expect the worst.
ReplyDeleteThank you for highlighting yet another important work.
You do the best book review! This seems like a keeper.
ReplyDelete...the earth is a diverse collections of habitats.
ReplyDeleteAll being destroyed by humans.
DeleteGreat book and review David.
ReplyDeleteHere too, much of nature is threatened and animal species are dying out.
Greetings Irma
This looks like another beautiful book and well reviewed. Yes, we must enjoy while we can.
ReplyDeleteGreat book review. It certainly does look like habitats for animals are being destroyed at an alarming rate.
ReplyDeleteI read an article about the Doomsday Clock yesterday, and how close we are to total destruction of our planet. I think this book maybe like the clock, warning us of destruction a different kind of destruction.. Its a beautiful book and also a sad book.
ReplyDeleteIt's easier to sacrifice than to keep...
ReplyDeleteYesterday precisely, I was watching an impressive report about the Natural Parks of North America. The fact that they have been recognized as Natural Parks has helped them to be better preserved; species like the bison were almost extinct. Although climate change does not stop and continues to deteriorate all habitats.
ReplyDeleteWe will have to continue doing our bit and wait for countries and big industries to put their mountains of sand...
Un abrazo David
Those national parks are the subject of political whim too, especially where resource extraction is concerned. Speculation is rife that the Arctic NWR will be opened up for oil drilling. There is no ironclad way to protect habitat in perpetuity and the expanding human population continues to expropriate more land for agriculture and urban expansion.
DeleteI really like your book reviews, David. Books are good to have, they are educational and can be read again and again. This world may soon be called the lost world.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
Yet another valuable book. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteGood review, David. Books might be the last source to see nature and her inhabits before it all disappears.
ReplyDeleteVert well done.I like to read and think about it.Nice pictures too👍It is never to late and nature find its way always💖
ReplyDeleteDavid, your review of this volume is excellent.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a quality book.
I am afraid that in a little while we will only see some species of plants and animals there! Even this reminder I think somehow helps to be more careful with nature!
Thank you!
We just continue to shoot ourselves in the foot, don't we?
ReplyDeleteExcellent review.
In that, we have developed great proficiency.
DeleteMe gusta visitar esos parques. Tenemos uno muy cerca el Parque Nacional de Monfragüe en Plasencia. Y acercamos a los amigos que no lo conocen. Hay mucha diversidad de aves allí. Gracias David por la reseña.
ReplyDeleteBuena semana.
Un abrazo.
I hope it will be preserved and protected for all time, Laura.
DeleteA wonderful book. I have to agree with one of your other readers. This administration will not preserve or protect land and wildlife. Thanks for sharing the book.
ReplyDeleteFragmentation is one thing you don't always generally hear much about, but it would be so easy to create natural zones, In my little spot on the planet I am very excited that when a large tractor of land went for sale, a woman bought it in memory of her father and donated it to the town as public forest lands. Add it to the land across the street that her father had bought and donated many many years ago and my road will stay more rural. It's a win situation for all the various wildlife in my area too. Hurrah for that.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I agree with you. :(
ReplyDeleteHello David :) Great review of this informative and beautifully illustrated book. Sadly the wildlife in North America will continue to decline as power and greed will ignore conservation of our beautiful planet, which is clearly the most important concern of our time. It's difficult to be optimistic David.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses.
It is very difficult to be optimistic, Sonjia.
Delete