The Natural History of Puget Sound Country: (Weyerhaeuser Environmental BooksWeyerhaeuser Environmental BooksWeyerhaeuser Environmental BooksWeyerhaeuser Environmental BooksWeyerhaeuser Environ)

Winner of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award Bounded on the east by the crest of the Cascade Range and on the west by the lofty east flank of the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound terrain includes every imaginable topograhic variety. This thoughtful and eloquent natural history of the Puget Sound region begins with a discussion of how the ice ages and vulcanism shaped the land and then examines the natural attributes of the region--flora and fauna, climate, special habitats, life histories of key organisms--as they pertain to the functioning ecosystem. Mankind's effects upon the natural environment are a pervasive theme of the book. Kruckeberg looks at both positive and negative aspects of human interaction with nature in the Puget basin. By probing the interconnectedness of all natural aspects of one region, Kruckeberg illustrates ecological principles at work and gives us a basis for wise decision-making. The Natural History of Puget Sound Country is a comprehensive reference, invaluable for all citizens of the Northwest, as well as for conservationists, biologists, foresters, fisheries and wildlife personnel, urban planners, and environmental consultants everywhere. Lavishly illustrated with over three hundred photographs and drawings, it is much more than a beautiful book. It is a guide to our future.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction The Lay of the Land: Landforms and Geology of the Puget Sound Basin Climate and Weather The Inland Sea Marine Life in Puget Sound Life on Land: Lowland Forests Lakes, "Prairies," and Other Nonforested Lowland Habitats Montane Natural History of the Puget Sound Basin Water and the Quality of Life Aboriginal Indians in the Puget Sound Basin The European Impact on Puget Country Appendix 1: The Naming of Plants and Animals Appendix 2: Place Names and Kindred Matters for the Puget Basin Appendix 3: Chronology of Happenings in the Puget Sound Basin and the Pacific Northwest Appendix 4: Threatened and Endangered Wildlife in Washington Appendix 5: Soils of the Puget Basin Bibliography References Cited For Further Reading Credits Index

About the Author :
Arthur Kruckeberg , a Northwest naturalist for forty years, is professor emeritus of botany at the University of Washington.

Review :
"In this remarkably well written and abundantly illustrated natural history of Puget Sound, naturalist Kruckeberg takes the reader on a journey through time, from the geological remnants of the last Ice Age to the human impacts of today. Excellent chapters describe regional land forms, climate and weather patterns, inland tides and currents, marine life, forest and animal species, water supplies, and influences of Native American and European cultures... A comprehensive reference for citizens in the Northwest, as well as for conservationists, natural resource professionals, and the general public everywhere. - Choice "Many natural histories are aimed at an audience already in possession of dog-eared field guides and well-worn hiking boots. This one casts a wider net, with a text that is both accessible and scholarly. Stunning black-and-white photographs, beautiful illustrations and intelligent captioning let his volume work equally well as a browse or a read. The Puget Sound watershed now has a lavish book worthy of its great diversity and beauty." - Whole Earth Review "Kruckeberg's book doesn't strain to be either outrageously passionate or a poetic page-turner for its effect. Rather it is so comprehensive and clear that it will probably become a landmark textbook, one of the basic reference works for understanding this region." - The Seattle Times "An uncommonly beautiful book." - Columbia "Thorough, intelligently written and well illustrated, it is one of the best books to ever come out of the Pacific Northwest." - Victoria Times Colonist "A comprehensive reference, invaluable for all citizens of the Northwest, as well as for conservationists, biologists, foresters, fisheries and wildlife personnel, urban planners, and environmental consultants everywhere." - Biology Digest