A beginner's guide to mountains that is an informative and beautiful resource for young students. This volume from the acclaimed About Habitats series uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what mountains are and what kinds of animals and plants live there. Noted wildlife illustrator John Sill provides stunning and realistic illustrations to depict the diversity of mountain landscapes―from the snow-covered peaks of the Himalaya Mountains to the forested slopes of the Appalachians. A glossary and afterword provide more details for further learning. Perfect for early childhood and elementary units on geography, nature, and environment.
A timely study of change in a complex environment, Where There Are Mountains explores the relationship between human inhabitants of the southern Appalachians and their environment. Incorporating a wide variety of disciplines in the natural and social sciences, the study draws information from several viewpoints and spans more than four hundred years of geological, ecological, anthropological, and historical development in the Appalachian region. The book begins with a description of the indigenous Mississippian culture in 1500 and ends with the destructive effects of industrial logging and dam building during the first three decades of the twentieth century. Donald Edward Davis discusses the degradation of the southern Appalachians on a number of levels, from the general effects of settlement and industry to the extinction of the American chestnut due to blight and logging in the early 1900s. This portrait of environmental destruction is echoed by the human struggle to survive in one of our nation's poorest areas. The farming, livestock raising, dam building, and pearl and logging industries that have gradually destroyed this region have also been the livelihood of the Appalachian people. The author explores the sometimes conflicting needs of humans and nature in the mountains while presenting impressive and comprehensive research on the increasingly threatened environment of the southern Appalachians.
The purpose of this book is to summarize new insights on the structure and function of mountain ecosystems and to present evidence and perspectives on the impact of climate change on biodiversity. This volume describes overall features of high-mountain ecosystems in Japan, which are characterized by clear seasonality and snow-thawing dynamics. Individual chapters cover a variety of unique topics, namely, vegetation dynamics along elevations, the physiological function of alpine plants, the structure of flowering phenology, plant–pollinator interactions, the geographical pattern of coniferous forests, terrestrial–aquatic linkage in carbon dynamics, and the community structure of bacteria in mountain lake systems. High-mountain ecosystems are characterized by unique flora and fauna, including many endemic and rare species. On the other hand, the systems are extremely vulnerable to environmental change. The biodiversity is maintained by the existence of spatiotemporally heterogeneous habitats along environmental gradients, such as elevation and snowmelt time. Understanding the structure and function of mountain ecosystems is crucial for the conservation of mountain biodiversity and the prediction of the climate change impacts.The diverse studies and integrated synthesis presented in this book provide readers with a holistic view of mountain ecosystems. It is a recommended read for anyone interested in mountain ecosystems and alpine plants, including undergraduate and graduate students studying ecology, field workers involved in conservational activity in mountains, policymakers planning ecosystem management of protected areas, and researchers of general ecology. In particular, this book will be of interest to ecologists of countries who are not familiar with Japanese mountain ecosystems, which are characterized by humid summers, cold winters, and the snowiest climate in the world.
A perfect entry for first conversations about waterways and conservation. Author and illustrator team Cathryn and John Sill offer an accessible introduction to rivers and streams, touching on their major attributes, the animals and plants that live there, and their remarkable global diversity. Using simple, easy-to-understand language, the author teaches children what rivers and streams are and explains how various species of animals and plants have adapted to life in or along these waterways. Detailed, full-color art shows the characteristics of the world's different rivers and streams―from the mountain brooks of the Alps to the mighty Amazon River in South America. A glossary and afterword provide further details. Great for casual exploration and for early childhood and elementary education units on nature, environment, earth sciences, and ecosystems.
This series explores habitats around the world, looking at the plants and animals that live there, and the adaptations that help them to survive. Threats to the habitats are also covered, as well as efforts to preserve them. Interesting photos, fact boxes and a text that relates the subject to everyday life.
Compiled by some of the country's leading experts in their fields, this book offers a detailed introduction to the natural and man-made environment of Scotland's mountains, written by hillwalkers for hillwalkers.
Take a hike through alpine landscapes and snowy mountain peaks and discover Earth's diverse and delicate ecosystems. From the mighty Himalayas to the majestic Rockies, this book will take you on an amazing journey. See the different flora and fauna, learn about the diverse range of species and understand the importance of maintaining these beautiful, natural habitats. This lyrical picture book looks at plants, animals and land formations in Earth's amazing mountain ecosystems, from the smallest creatures to the largest predators, gently covering the topic of global warming. The World of Wonder series shines a light on our planet's fragile ecosystems, from majestic mountains, to expansive forests and deep oceans, gently covering important topics such as global warming and the impact of humans on the natural world. Also available: World of Wonder: Oceans 978-0-7112-5005-5
