The latest edition of Cayman Islands provides in-depth coverage of each of the country's three distinctive islands. Renowned for some of the world's best diving and snorkelling, the islands also offer numerous other activities, all of which are detailed in this thorough guide. Drag yourself away from those white-sand beaches and you can head off in search of iguanas, mysterious caves or even ghosts. The guide is complete with historical background information and natural history for those who want to dig deeper and unlock the true spirit of Cayman.
The three islands comprising the Cayman Islands support 415 native taxa in a land area over 100 square miles, 29 of which are uniquely Caymanian. This field guide satisfies the needs of the professional botanist, while providing the non-expert and eco-tourist with an introduction to the unique endemic flora of the Cayman Islands.
This is the first Red List assessment of the entire Cayman Islands flora, covering all 415 species and varieties considered truly native to the Cayman Islands. It forms a comprehensive field guide to the unique plants of the Cayman Islands, with full-colour photographs of all the endemic and near-endemic plants of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. The natural vegetation communities are also presented, accompanied by a technical classification on compact disc. This book is for plant scientists, ecologists, landscapers and developers, and for the visitor who wishes to understand more about the vanishing natural beauty of these islands.
This book will enable the identification of each of the 57 species of butterfly that has been recorded from the Cayman Islands. There is a description of every butterfly, stressing its most important characteristics, with photographs of living and mounted specimens. The distribution, history and biology of each species are reviewed and the plants which provide adult butterflies with nectar or feed their caterpillars are tabulated. A general introduction includes a discussion of the affinities and size of the Caymanian butterfly fauna. The three islands share most of their butterfly species but each island has uniquely characteristic elements and five subspecies live only in the Cayman Islands. Knowledge is fundamental to conservation; it is hoped that both the casual butterfly watcher and those more committed to the study of butterflies will discover much of interest in this book and thereby make a contribution to the continuing survival of these beautiful insects.
A practical and expertly illustrated field guide to over one hundred grasses, sedges, and rushes "No one will be able to claim that the identification of grasses, sedges, and rushes, which are of fundamental importance both environmentally and economically, are simply 'too difficult' after they have learned to use this excellent guide."--Peter Raven, President Emeritus, Missouri Botanical Garden This elegant and easy-to-use guide is an updated and amended revision of Lauren Brown's seminal Grasses: An Identification Guide, which was first published in 1979. While maintaining the spirit and goals of the original edition--a portable, straightforward, and user-friendly guide for naturalists and plant enthusiasts--the new edition features more than one hundred grasses, sedges, and rushes that are presented with line drawings and color photographs, concise descriptions, and details on the uses of various plants throughout history. In addition, the authors are careful to highlight the subtle differences in similar species to avoid confusion, as well as offering relevant notes on plant survival strategies, invasiveness, and how different plants fit within the broader ecological landscape. Devoid of technical jargon, this volume is an indispensable tool for those curious about the often-overlooked grasses, sedges, and rushes that surround us.
Common Forest Trees of Hawaii, first published in 1989 as USDA Forest Service Agriculture Handbook 679, is an illustrated reference for identifying the common trees in the forests of Hawaii. Useful information about each species is also compiled, including Hawaiian, English, and scientific names; description; distribution within the islands and beyond; uses of wood and other products; and additional notes. The 152 species described and illustrated by line drawings comprise 60 native species (including 53 that are endemic), 85 species introduced after the arrival of Europeans, and 7 species introduced apparently by the early Hawaiians. One chapter is devoted to forests and forestry in Hawaii. Maps of the Hawaiian Islands show the physical features and place names, major forest types, and forest reserves and conservation districts. Each tree species is illustrated by a full-page line drawing.
Native Plants of Christmas Island is a beautiful book describing 118 of the more common native plants on Christmas Island. In addition, each species is illustrated in colour, and flowering and fruiting times are given. There are six colour pages showing some of the drift seeds found among the flotsam and jetsam on the island shores.
