Natural History of the Sonoran Desert

Covering southeasternmost California, much of southern and central Arizona, most of Baja California, and much of the state of Sonora in Mexico, the Sonoran Desert Region is home to an amazing variety of plants and animals. Its terrain varies dramatically from parched desert lowlands to semiarid tropical forests and frigid subalpine meadows. A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert takes readers deep into this vast expanse, looking closely at the relationships of plants and animals with the land and people, through time and across landscapes. Using accessible language, more than forty scientists and naturalists examine the region's biodiversity, geology, weather, plants, and animals - from invertebrates to fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals - as well as potential threats to species and habitats. The text is supplemented with anecdotes, essays, photographs, maps, diagrams, and 450 finely rendered drawings. This new edition adds chapters on the Sky Islands, the Sea of Cortez, desert pollinators, and conservation issues including climate change. Taxonomic nomenclature has been updated and new color plates and figures have been added. This comprehensive natural history, like the original edition, will surely become an invaluable companion for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, hikers, students, naturalists, and anyone interested in the desert Southwest.