A Field Guide to the Families and Genera of Woody Plants of Northwest South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru), with Supplementary Notes on Herbaceous Taxa
Author | : Alwyn H. Gentry |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 895 |
Release | : 1993-01 |
Genre | : Science |
ISBN | : 9780226289434 |
To understand almost any part of the tropical rain forest's fabulously complex web of life, one must first learn to identify a bewildering array of plants. Alwyn Gentry's landmark book, completed just before his tragic death in 1993, is the only field guide to the nearly 250 families of woody plants in the most species-rich region of South America. As a consummate field researcher, Gentry designed this guide to be not just comprehensive, but also easy to use in rigorous field conditions. Unlike many field guides, which rely for their identifications on flowers and fruits that are only present during certain seasons, Gentry's book focuses on characters such as bark, leaves, and odor that are present year-round. His guide is filled with clear illustrations, step-by-step keys to identification, and a wealth of previously unpublished data. All biologists, wildlife managers, conservationists, and government officials concerned with the tropical rain forests will need and use this field guide. Alwyn Gentry was one of the world's foremost experts on the biology of tropical plants. He was senior curator at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and was a member of Conservation International's interdisciplinary Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) team, which inventories the biodiversity of the most threatened tropical areas. From 1967 to 1993 he collected more than 80,000 plant specimens, many of them new to science.
The Cordillera Del Cóndor Region of Ecuador and Peru
Author | : Thomas S. Schulenberg |
Publisher | : Conservation International |
Total Pages | : 231 |
Release | : 1997-01 |
Genre | : Nature |
ISBN | : 9781881173151 |
In 1993 and 1994, two Rapid Assessment Program teams conducted biological surveys in the Cordillera del Cóndor between Ecuador and Peru, one of the largest intact regions of Andean lower montane forest. This book presents the results of their surveys. The great topographic and geological complexity of this region, combined with a climate of year-round high humidity, have resulted in very high plant species diversity. This diversity of habitats and species with restricted distributions makes the Cóndor an important refuge for many taxa.
Flowering Plants of the Galápagos
Author | : Conley K. McMullen |
Publisher | : Cornell University Press |
Total Pages | : 386 |
Release | : 2018-09-05 |
Genre | : Nature |
ISBN | : 1501728768 |
The Galápagos are home to a wide-ranging assortment of unusual plants and animals. The islands became famous as the site of Charles Darwin's research leading to his theory of evolution by natural selection, and their magnificent flora and fauna continue to draw visitors from around the world. Based on the author's 16 years of fieldwork and featuring his exceptional photography, Flowering Plants of the Galápagos is the first accessible, in-depth yet compact guide to the plant life of the area. An invaluable resource for tourists, natural history enthusiasts, and professionals, the book: • Introduces the botanical history of the islands and their varied ecological zones • Allows easy identification of 436 flowering plants (77 families, 192 genera, and 390 species) • Covers endemic plants found exclusively on the islands; native plants, which grow on the Galápagos and elsewhere; and exotic plants present as a result of human actions • Offers thorough accounts of the plants which give the scientific, common, and family names; range; islands inhabited; habitat; description; and additional notes of interest • Is richly illustrated with 266 color photographs of flowering plants and 117 of plant pollinators, vegetation zones, non-flowering plants, and the islands themselves • Organizes species by form, leaf arrangement, and flower color and includes descriptive plant drawings to aid in identification • Provides a map of the Galápagos and a list of plants likely to be seen at popular tourist sites
Oil, Revolution, and Indigenous Citizenship in Ecuadorian Amazonia
Author | : Flora Lu |
Publisher | : Springer |
Total Pages | : 306 |
Release | : 2016-11-26 |
Genre | : Political Science |
ISBN | : 1137533625 |
This book addresses the political ecology of the Ecuadorian petro-state since the turn of the century and contextualizes state-civil society relations in contemporary Ecuador to produce an analysis of oil and Revolution in twenty-first century Latin America. Ecuador’s recent history is marked by changes in state-citizen relations: the election of political firebrand, Rafael Correa; a new constitution recognizing the value of pluriculturality and nature’s rights; and new rules for distributing state oil revenues. One of the most emblematic projects at this time is the Correa administration’s Revolución Ciudadana, an oil-funded project of social investment and infrastructural development that claims to blaze a responsible and responsive path towards wellbeing for all Ecuadorians. The contributors to this book examine the key interventions of the recent political revolution—the investment of oil revenues into public works in Amazonia and across Ecuador; an initiative to keep oil underground; and the protection of the country’s most marginalized peoples—to illustrate how new forms of citizenship are required and forged. Through a focus on Amazonia and the Waorani, this book analyzes the burdens and opportunities created by oil-financed social and environmental change, and how these alter life in Amazonian extraction sites and across Ecuador.
Wildlife of Ecuador
Author | : Andrés Vásquez Noboa |
Publisher | : Princeton University Press |
Total Pages | : 288 |
Release | : 2017-05-30 |
Genre | : Nature |
ISBN | : 0691161364 |
Mainland Ecuador's spectacular wildlife makes it a magnet for nature tourists, but until now there hasn't been a go-to, all-in-one guide geared to the general reader. With this handy and accessible guide, visitors now have everything they need to identify and enjoy the majority of birds and animals they are likely to see. Written and illustrated by two of Ecuador's most experienced nature guides and photographers, this book covers more than 350 birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. It features over 400 stunning color photographs and includes a range map for each species, as well as a brief account of the country's natural history and biogeography. With its extensive coverage, attractive and easy-to-use layout, beautiful photographs, and nontechnical text, this is an essential guide for anyone who wants to explore the natural wonders of Ecuador. An essential all-in-one guide to mainland Ecuador's amazing wildlife Unique and attractive layout with more than 400 stunning color photographs Covers more than 350 of the most frequently seen birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians Uses a habitat-based approach to aid identification Accessible text provides key information on identification, behavior, biology, and conservation Photos, maps, and text are presented together for ease of use
The Liverworts and Hornworts of Colombia and Ecuador
Author | : S. Robbert Gradstein |
Publisher | : Springer Nature |
Total Pages | : 743 |
Release | : 2021-03-25 |
Genre | : Science |
ISBN | : 3030494500 |
This book provides keys, descriptions and illustrations for about 850 species of liverworts and hornworts, in 148 genera and 47 families, of Colombia and Ecuador. The largest genera are Lejeunea (66 spp.), Plagiochila (65), Frullania (54), Radula (33), Metzgeria (33), Cololejeunea (32), Cheilolejeunea (30), Bazzania (26), Drepanolejeunea (25), Ceratolejeunea (18), Diplasiolejeunea (18), and Syzygiella (18). Species descriptions include brief morphological characterization and discussion with emphasis on characters for identification, world range as well as distribution and habitat in Colombia and Ecuador. Classes, orders, families and genera are also described and the main features for recognition of the genera are briefly discussed. The introduction includes chapters on history of exploration, diversity and endemism, and classification. A glossary, bibliography and index to scientific names are also provided.
Gradients in a Tropical Mountain Ecosystem of Ecuador
Author | : Erwin Beck |
Publisher | : Springer Science & Business Media |
Total Pages | : 525 |
Release | : 2008-01-24 |
Genre | : Science |
ISBN | : 3540735267 |
A fascinating work that provides a wealth of information on one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. This is the result of investigations by almost 30 groups of researchers from various disciplines. They performed ecosystem analyses following two gradients: an altitudinal gradient and a gradient of land use intensity and ecosystem regeneration following human use. Based on these analyses, this volume discusses these findings in a huge variety of subject areas.
Guide to Standard Floras of the World
Author | : David G. Frodin |
Publisher | : Cambridge University Press |
Total Pages | : 1136 |
Release | : 2001-06-14 |
Genre | : Science |
ISBN | : 9781139428651 |
This 2001 book provides a selective annotated bibliography of the principal floras and related works of inventory for vascular plants. The second edition was completely updated and expanded to take into account the substantial literature of the late twentieth century, and features a more fully developed review of the history of floristic documentation. The works covered are principally specialist publications such as floras, checklists, distribution atlases, systematic iconographies and enumerations or catalogues, although a relatively few more popularly oriented books are also included. The Guide is organised in ten geographical divisions, with these successively divided into regions and units, each of which is prefaced with a historical review of floristic studies. In addition to the bibliography, the book includes general chapters on botanical bibliography, the history of floras, and general principles and current trends, plus an appendix on bibliographic searching, a lexicon of serial abbreviations, and author and geographical indexes.