For centuries, the southernmost region of the Florida peninsula was seen by outsiders as wild and inaccessible, one of the last frontiers in the quest to understand and reveal the natural history of the continent. This book tells the stories of the explorers and adventurers who—for better and for worse—helped open the unique environment of South Florida to the world.
Browse by Subject: Natural History
Please note that while you may order forthcoming books at any time, they will not be available for shipment until shortly before publication date
When Ray Whaley set out to accomplish his bucket-list goal of kayaking the length of the St. Johns River, it didn’t take long for him to realize he was in over his head. The longest river in Florida, stretching 310 miles between Vero Beach and Jacksonville, the St. Johns had been paddled in its entirety by only a handful of people. Whaley found himself blazing his own trail on an exciting and unexpected adventure.
This seventh volume of the Flora of Florida collection continues the definitive and comprehensive identification manual to the Sunshine State’s 4,400 kinds of native and non-native ferns and fern allies, nonflowering seed plants, and flowering seed plants. Volume VII concludes the taxonomic treatments of Florida’s dicotyledons.
Geologic History of Florida covers the complete geologic history of the Sunshine State--a saga approximately 700 million years long.
America’s wettest state is running out of water. Yes, Florida—with its swamps, lakes, extensive coastlines, and legends of life-giving springs—faces a drinking water crisis that most people don’t see coming. Drying Up is a wake-up call and a hard look at what the future holds for those who call Florida home.
With many maps, helpful diagrams, and clear explanations, this book is an illuminating and accessible guide to Florida’s dramatic weather and climate.
Florida is home to a more diverse variety of amphibians and reptiles than any other state due to its wide array of ecosystems—from pine forests to the subtropical Everglades to the tropical Keys—and its large number of established nonnative species. This volume is a comprehensive account of the 219 species known to exist in the state.
Dan’s Cave looks like the entrance to the underworld. Two divers swim along a luminous blue-green passage, flashlights cutting through the water, a dark mass of stalactites suspended overhead. This is the breathtaking National Geographic cover photo taken by Wes Skiles (1958–2010), a top nature photographer who died in a diving accident before the issue was published.
A biodiversity hotspot, Florida is home to many ecosystems and species that depend on frequent fire to exist. In this book, Reed Noss discusses the essential role of fire in generating biodiversity and offers best practices for using fire to keep the region’s ecosystems healthy and resilient.