A Neotropical Companion is an extraordinarily readable introduction to the American tropics, the lands of Central and South America, their remarkable rainforests and other ecosystems, and the creatures that live there. It is the most comprehensive one-volume guide to the Neotropics available today. Widely praised in its first edition, it remains a book of unparalleled value to tourists, students, and scientists alike. This second edition has been substantially revised and expanded to incorporate the abundance of new scientific information that has been produced since it was first published in 1989. Major additions have been made to every chapter, and new chapters have been added on Neotropical ecosystems, human ecology, and the effects of deforestation. Biodiversity and its preservation are discussed throughout the book, and Neotropical evolution is described in detail. This new edition offers all new drawings and photographs, many of them in color.
As enthusiastic readers of the first edition will attest, this is a charming book. Wearing his learning lightly and writing with ease and humor, John Kricher presents the complexities of tropical ecology as accessible and nonintimidating. Kricher is so thoroughly knowledgeable and the book is so complete in its coverage that general readers and ecotourists will not need any other book to help them identify and understand the plants and animals, from birds to bugs, that they will encounter in their travels to the New World tropics. At the same time, it will fascinate armchair travelers and students who may get no closer to the Neotropics than this engagingly written book.
Review:
... The book is exactly what it says it is, a companion to take with you on your travels in the New World tropics. . . . The author has written . . . with just the right amount of informality and humor. (Journal of Natural History)
... An intense and lively field guide. . .compact and richly substantive. (Scientific American)
Table of contents:
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
A Personal Note to the Reader
Conversions
Ch. 1
Tropical Climates and Ecosystems
3
Ch. 2
Rainforest Structure and Diversity
21
Ch. 3
How a Rainforest Functions
44
Ch. 4
Evolutionary Patterns in the Tropics
75
Ch. 5
Complexities of Coevolution and Ecology of Fruit
126
Ch. 6
The Neotropical Pharmacy
144
Ch. 7
Living Off the Land in the Tropics
169
Ch. 8
Rivers through Rainforest
189
Ch. 9
Introduction to the Andes and Tepuis
218
Ch. 10
Savannas and Dry Forests
228
Ch. 11
Coastal Ecosystems: Mangroves, Seagrass, and Coral Reefs
239
Ch. 12
Neotropical Birds
251
Ch. 13
A Rainforest Bestiary
295
Ch. 14
Deforestation and Conservation of Biodiversity
334
Appendix
"And Hey, Let's Be Careful Out There"
377
Acronyms
389
Glossary
390
Neotropical Field Guides and Handbooks
396
Recommended Book-Length References
399
Literature Cited
403
Index
435
As enthusiastic readers of the first edition will attest, this is a charming book. Wearing his learning lightly and writing with ease and humor, John Kricher presents the complexities of tropical ecology as accessible and nonintimidating. Kricher is so thoroughly knowledgeable and the book is so complete in its coverage that general readers and ecotourists will not need any other book to help them identify and understand the plants and animals, from birds to bugs, that they will encounter in their travels to the New World tropics. At the same time, it will fascinate armchair travelers and students who may get no closer to the Neotropics than this engagingly written book.
Review:
... The book is exactly what it says it is, a companion to take with you on your travels in the New World tropics. . . . The author has written . . . with just the right amount of informality and humor. (Journal of Natural History)
... An intense and lively field guide. . .compact and richly substantive. (Scientific American)
Table of contents:
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
A Personal Note to the Reader
Conversions
Ch. 1
Tropical Climates and Ecosystems
Ch. 2
Rainforest Structure and Diversity
Ch. 3
How a Rainforest Functions
Ch. 4
Evolutionary Patterns in the Tropics
Ch. 5
Complexities of Coevolution and Ecology of Fruit
Ch. 6
The Neotropical Pharmacy
Ch. 7
Living Off the Land in the Tropics
Ch. 8
Rivers through Rainforest
Ch. 9
Introduction to the Andes and Tepuis
Ch. 10
Savannas and Dry Forests
Ch. 11
Coastal Ecosystems: Mangroves, Seagrass, and Coral Reefs
Ch. 12
Neotropical Birds
Ch. 13
A Rainforest Bestiary
Ch. 14
Deforestation and Conservation of Biodiversity
Appendix
"And Hey, Let's Be Careful Out There"
Acronyms
Glossary
Neotropical Field Guides and Handbooks
Recommended Book-Length References
Literature Cited
Index
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