Overview

This highly readable, spectacularly illustrated compendium is an ecological journey into a wondrous land of extremes. The California Deserts explores the remarkable diversity of life in this harsh yet fragile quarter of the Golden State. In a rich narrative, it illuminates how that diversity, created by drought and heat, has evolved with climate change since the Ice Ages. Along the way, we find there is much to learn from each desert species- whether it is a cactus, pupfish, tortoise, or bighorn sheep-about adaptation to a warming, arid world. The book tells of human adaptation as well, and is underscored by a deep appreciation for the intimate knowledge acquired by native people during their 12,000-year desert experience. In this sense, the book is a journey of rediscovery, as it reflects on the ways that knowledge has been reclaimed and amplified by new discoveries. The book also takes the measure of the ecological condition of these deserts today, presenting issues of conservation, management, and restoration. With its many sidebars, photographs, and featured topics, The California Deserts provides a unique introduction to places of remarkable and often unexpected beauty.

Full Product Details

Author:   Bruce M. Pavlik
Publisher:   University of California Press
Imprint:   University of California Press
Dimensions:   Width: 17.80cm , Height: 3.30cm , Length: 25.40cm
Weight:   1.361kg
ISBN:  

9780520251458

ISBN 10:   0520251458
Pages:   384
Publication Date:   02 July 2008
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.

Table of Contents

Preface Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION: THE LOST BASKET REDISCOVERY Coming to Explore Coming to Conquer Coming to Understand Coming to Cherish A CONSPIRACY OF EXTREMES Geography of a Bioregion Climate Geology Soils Waters OPERATION AND ORIGINS Ecosystem Operations in the Desert Bioregion Origins of the Desert Bioregion REMARKABLE BIOTA Biological Diversity: The Richness of Species Evolving with Drought Drought-Susceptible Species Drought-Avoiding Species Drought-Tolerant Species GREATER THAN THE SUM OF THE PARTS Great Basin Communities Mojave Communities Sonoran Communities FUTURE OF AN ARID BIOREGION Current Threats Ecological Remedies Weaving a New Basket References Art Credits Index

Reviews

Through the eloquent and skillful interweaving of cultural, scientific, and natural history themes, Pavlik and University of California Press have set a new standard for books on the ecology of natural bioregions. Conservation Biology Delightful book ... The California Deserts reads like a novel, unraveling mystery after mystery of these arid lands... This is a 'must read' for any naturalist interested in California deserts, and it will likely set a new standard in what we should look for in 'field guides.' -- Laurie J. Vitt Qtly Review Of Biology A wonderful resource for any naturalist, educator, or person that is eager to learn more about the diversity of the unique desert ecosystems of California. -- Keri McNew Botanical Rsrch Inst. Of Txs (Jbrit) Approachable and beautifully illustrated text that clearly lays out the complexities of the desert ecosystems of California and the problems that they face. Ecological Restoration What a desert book should be like, written in such fashion that even if you have no interest in deserts whatsoever, you will still enjoy reading the book. Most desert writing is turgid. This book is not. Digital Tibetan Buddhist Altar Pavlik takes the reader on an ecological exploration of the arid regions of the Golden State... Excellent. Aptos Times

Through the eloquent and skillful interweaving of cultural, scientific, and natural history themes, Pavlik and University of California Press have set a new standard for books on the ecology of natural bioregions. --Conservation Biology Delightful book ... The California Deserts reads like a novel, unraveling mystery after mystery of these arid lands... This is a 'must read' for any naturalist interested in California deserts, and it will likely set a new standard in what we should look for in 'field guides.' --Qtly Review of Biology A wonderful resource for any naturalist, educator, or person that is eager to learn more about the diversity of the unique desert ecosystems of California. --Botanical Rsrch Inst. of Txs (Jbrit) Approachable and beautifully illustrated text that clearly lays out the complexities of the desert ecosystems of California and the problems that they face. --Ecological Restoration What a desert book should be like, written in such fashion that even if you have no interest in deserts whatsoever, you will still enjoy reading the book. Most desert writing is turgid. This book is not. --Digital Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Through the eloquent and skillful interweaving of cultural, scientific, and natural history themes, Pavlik and University of California Press have set a new standard for books on the ecology of natural bioregions. Conservation Biology 20090801 Delightful book ... The California Deserts reads like a novel, unraveling mystery after mystery of these arid lands... This is a 'must read' for any naturalist interested in California deserts, and it will likely set a new standard in what we should look for in 'field guides.' -- Laurie J. Vitt Qtly Review Of Biology 20090911 A wonderful resource for any naturalist, educator, or person that is eager to learn more about the diversity of the unique desert ecosystems of California. -- Keri McNew Botanical Rsrch Inst. Of Txs (Jbrit) 20090911 Approachable and beautifully illustrated text that clearly lays out the complexities of the desert ecosystems of California and the problems that they face. Ecological Restoration 20090911 What a desert book should be like, written in such fashion that even if you have no interest in deserts whatsoever, you will still enjoy reading the book. Most desert writing is turgid. This book is not. Digital Tibetan Buddhist Altar 20090911 Pavlik takes the reader on an ecological exploration of the arid regions of the Golden State... Excellent. Aptos Times 20100714

Author Information

Bruce M. Pavlik, Professor of Biology at Mills College, is coauthor of Oaks of California and California's Changing Landscapes: The Diversity and Conservation of California Vegetation.

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