Naturalist's Guide to the Atlantic Seashore: Beach Ecology from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras Paperback - 2008

From the rear cover

Explore the Beach A Naturalist's Guide to the Atlantic Seashore is the ultimate guide to the diverse eco-systems of the Atlantic Coast from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras. From the tiniest diatom found in coastal tide pools to the giant baleen whales cruising the vast ocean, the species and habitats that make up the character of the seashore are described in detail for the enjoyment and enlightenment of beachgoers of all stripes. For more than twenty-five years, FalconGuides(R) have set the standard for outdoor guide-books. Written by top experts, each guide invites you to experience the adventure and beauty of the oudoors. This easy-to-use guide features: - Descriptions of plant and animal species and their habitats - More than 300 full-color photographs - A detailed index Shumway, Scott W. The naturalist's guide to the Atlantic seashore: beach ecology from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras. Falcon Guides, 2008. 232p bibl index; ISBN 9780762742370 pbk, $24.95. Reviewed in 2008dec CHOICE. Most field guides are designed to simplify the identification of plants or animals. Shumway (Wheaton College) takes a different tack, forgoing any exhaustive or systematic list of organisms and instead presenting an overall view of all the elements and processes that shape and define the many ecosystems found along the Atlantic coast. The book is organized and color coded by habitat types (e.g., rocky shores, salt marshes, tidal flats, sand dunes), allowing discussion of a wide range of topics that include geologic history, introduced species, past and present human impacts, and the adaptations of the myriad species occurring in these areas. Numerous sidebars provide additional detail, and the book is liberally illustrated with color photographs. Shumway has done an excellent job of seamlessly integrating these subjects, making this both an enjoyable read and an essential companion for exploring the seashore. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General, undergraduate, and graduate collections. -- G. C. Jensen, University of Washington