Nature&Ecology

Borror and DeLong-s Introduction to the Study of Insects

5 stars (Important for both biologists and non-biologists) - Everything about insects is fascinating, and this book gives a comprehensive overview of their behavior, anatomy, and classification. For non-experts in entomology, such as this reviewer, the book provides the necessary background for further study. Topics such as the molecular genetics of insects and the genetic engineering of insects are not covered, but there are plenty of other books that treat these topics in detail. Only the first four chapters were read by this reviewer, but only chapter four will be discussed here. Early on in chapter four, the authors dispel the prejudice that since insects have small nervous systems and have short life spans, they are not automatons and can exhibit a remarkable degree of spontaneity. Insects can adjust to the circumstances of their environment and the organization of their activities can be extremely complex. What is most interesting about their discussion of insect behavior is the emphasis on how it depends on the internal state of the insect, and not only its nervous system but also its internal organs. The authors view the basic unit of behavior in an insect as being a `refle'x. A receptor that is stimulated will cause a particular group of insects to contract, which is observed as a body movement of the insect. A `releaser' is the stimulus that actually triggers a specific collection of movements. This results in what is called a `fixed-action pattern', which, as the name implies, occurs the same way every time it occurs. To be contrasted with these are the `modal-action patterns' that adapt to changes in the body position of the insect relative to external objects. A `central pattern generator' the authors write, is responsible for the leg and wing movements of insects, and allows them to navigate in noisy environments. All of these considerations of insect behavior are interesting in themselves, but even more so considering that they are being applied t...
Brooks Cole :: Science & Entomology :: United States :: Science :: Nature&Ecology :: Nature :: Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology :: Insects & Spiders :: Insects :: Entomology :: Ch :: Borror and DeLong-s Introduction to the Study of Insects

The Reef Aquarium- A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tropical Marine Invertebr

5 stars (Wonderful Stony Coral and Clam Reference) - The good? This book is truly a comprehensive piece covering probably more than you want to know at times. For example, it explains the chemical reactions that occur during calcification of corals and why additions are necessary. After reading many other references, I must say I am very happy I purchased this volume. Contained in these pages are insights you won't find anywhere else. The book clearly explains the setup and maintenance procedures required to be successful in stony coral reef keeping. The bad? My main gripe is trivial. Guys, how about a larger font size and pictures? I had to do a lot of squinting. It could do with a minor revision of some references that are dated (such as collection of live rock from Florida) as the original was 1994, but make no mistake that all information is relevant. In summary... Obviously at this price it is unfortunately out of reach of the casual hobbyist, which is a shame. However, one could buy this book instead of various "reference manuals" which might be the same at the end of the day. Buy it if you can afford it. I also highly recommend Eric Borneman's Aquarium Corals book. 5 stars (Perhaps the best book on reef care) - An exceptional book on the subject. It is comprehensive but I would not say not complete as no book on this subject could be. Still I believe this book to be the best work compiled in book form. Described by many as "the Bible" on the subject it indeed may be but it is not dogmatic as it offers several options and methods and leaves it for the aquarist to use. (Note: This volume covers stony corals and not soft corals). When I started keeping marine aquaria keeping back in 1970 one almost had to employ the skills of a chemist. In those days most people in the hobby?  thought it nearly impossible to care for many of the species of coral now commonly kept. It was only through the encouragement of a local public aquarium (the John G. Shedd Aquar...
Ricordea Publishing :: Tropics :: Nature&Ecology :: Nature :: Marine invertebrates :: Marine Life :: Marine Fauna :: Invertebrates :: Identification :: Fish & Aquariums :: Coral reef animals :: :: The Reef Aquarium- A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tropical Marine Invertebr

Mushrooms Demystified- A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi

5 stars (Nicely Done) - This book is an essential desk-reference for mushroom enthusiasts. The extensive introduction includes articles on "fungophobia" (fear of eating wild mushrooms), mushroom biology, mushrooms and the environment, scientific names and classification, mushroom collecting, mushroom identification, directions on how to use keys, mushroom FAQs, LBMs (little brown mushrooms), habitats, and a list of 70 distinctive mushrooms. This material is followed by a general key to the major groups of mushrooms, and then over 800 pages of mushroom descriptions, organized according to the key, with additional specific keys for each major group. Brief articles are provided for each individual mushroom species, including scientific name, common names (if available), and descriptive information covering (where relevant) cap, gills, stalk, veil, spores, habitat and edibility. High quality black-and-white photographs are provided for many (though not all) species. There is also a section of color plates in the middle of the book referenced by name and page number to the articles in the text. End material includes articles on mushroom cookery, preservation, and toxins, a dictionary of scientific Latin relevant for mushroom study, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. A metric/inch ruler is printed on the back cover as a useful measurement aid. With its varied in-depth articles and large number of species covered, this book is a treasure-trove of information. It is not quite as visual as other large guides, since not all species have photos, and all the photos in the main text are black-and-white. This approach forces the user to rely on reading the details of the key, which is a very sound approach to identification. The first edition of the book was written solely about Californian mushrooms. In this edition, Arora has expanded his coverage to the continental United States, but he notes that many of his comments about habitat may be more relevant to Ca...
Ten Speed Press :: Pacific States :: Nature&Ecology :: Nature :: Mushrooms :: Life Sciences - Bacteriology :: Identification :: General :: Gardening & Horticulture :: California :: David :: Mushrooms Demystified- A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi

Marine Fishes- 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species The Pocketexpert Guide Series for Aquarists

5 stars (Must have for the Salt watet hobby) - It is a must have book for quick referance to study the fish you want to stock in your reef, fish, or combo tank. I highly recommend this to all salt water tank owners. 4 stars (A must have for beginners) - This book is a big help, specially for those who are beginners in this hobby. Take special note of the aquarium suitability index which is quite accurate. I have bought several fish before which have died within a couple of days. Now I consult the book first before purchasing and so far all the fish are healthy and alive. The only drawback of this book is they could have added more fish species and made the book bigger in size. Otherwise it's a must have. Nice pictures too. 5 stars (Excelent information) - Now I can buy my fishes with more information, all the information is very deep and easy to understand ...
TFH Publications :: Nature&Ecology :: Nature :: Marine aquariums :: Marine aquarium fishes :: Marine Life :: Fish & Aquariums :: Fish :: Animals & Pets :: Scott W Michael :: :: Marine Fishes- 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species (The Pocketexpert Guide Series for Aquarists

Striper Wars - An American Fish Story

5 stars (Stars & Stripes Forever) - Combine well honed invesigative skills with the passion borne of a life long love affair with the sport of pursuing, catching, releasing, nurturing and learning from the noble Linesider and you have a read, courtesy of Mr. Russell, that anyone who cares about the continued health of the Striped Bass, its habitat and the continued reclamation of our coastal waters will tear through then pick up and read once again. Bravo! 5 stars (A must read for striped bass conservation) - This is a great book, full of history on the never ending fight to save the striped bass. Even a better read for me as I've met and spoken to a couple of the folks in the book. Striped bass game fish status now! 5 stars (Could not put it down) - I want to thank, Capt.Jim White, Bob pond, Dick Russell and a host of others for there tireless efforts to keep the greatest fish in the world around for all of us to catch! The book is fantastic..Read it! Bill "eelman" Nolan Jr ...
Shearwater Books :: Nature & Fish :: United States :: Striped bass fishing :: Sports & Recreation :: Oceans & Seas :: Nature&Ecology :: Nature :: History :: Fishing - General :: Fish :: Envi :: Striper Wars - An American Fish Story

Wilderness Survival

5 stars (Teaches you how to think) - Although it would be nice to have everything you needed for a survival situation, that isn't always the case. Davenport's book teaches you how to think through a survival situation and promotes the art of improvising when things go wrong. His book is straight forward--helping the reader identify survival needs while showing a myriad of methods in which to meet them. It is a textbook! One I highly recommend! 3 stars (like a textbook, materials not included) - This is aninformative read on how to survive while apart from all of our societal comforts. The diagrams, while somewhat crude, are helpful in identifying exactly what Davenport is talking about in his descriptions. My largest qualm is that what he writes nearly necessitates being prepared for the unforseen via many of the materials needed for your wilderness survival experience. That being the case, make sure you back a flameless lighter, a lightweight and weather ready sleeping bag (or bivy tent), and some flares instead - it's a lot easier that way. A lot of help is provided in food identification and fuel, but if you've any measure of great sense while lost then you just die to your fears and eat the bugs, right? In any case, it's a quasi-interesting read that reminds you to "be prepared" for the unexpected. 5 stars (Useful and informative) - I've read many wilderness outdoors and survival books for different country (mountain, forest, desert), and Wilderness Survival is one of my all-time favorites, along with Mountaineering The Freedom of the Hills by Don Graydon and The Ultimate Desert Handbook by Mark Johnson (both of which I also highly recommend). ...
Stackpole Books :: Wilderness survival :: Sports & Recreation :: Reference :: Outdoor Survival Techniques :: Outdoor Skills :: Nature&Ecology :: Handbooks :: manuals :: etc :: Gregory J :: Wilderness Survival