Jorden: naturhistorie: for alment interesserede læsere

"If you're looking for a dose of wonder in your reading life, I recommend this beautiful book about the magic of fig trees."--Book Riot Over millions of years, fig trees have shaped our world, influenced our evolution, nourished our bodies and fed our imaginations. And as author and ecologist Mike Shanahan proclaims, "The best could be yet to come." Gods, Wasps and Stranglers weaves together the mythology, history and ecology of one of the world's most fascinating--and diverse--groups of plants, from their starring role in every major religion to their potential to restore rainforests, halt the loss of rare and endangered species and even limit climate change. In this lively and joyous book, Shanahan recounts the epic journeys of tiny fig wasps, whose eighty-million-year-old relationship with fig trees has helped them sustain more species of birds and mammals than any other trees; the curious habits of fig-dependent rhinoceros hornbills; figs' connection to Krishna and Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad; and even their importance to Kenya's struggle for independence. Ultimately, Gods, Wasps and Stranglers is a story about humanity's relationship with nature, one that is as relevant to our future as it is to our past.

Described as "a writer in the tradition of Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, and other self–educated seers" by the San Francisco Chronicle, David Rains Wallace turns his attention to one of the most distinctive corners of California: the San Francisco Bay Area. Weaving a complex and engaging story of the Bay Area from personal, historical, and environmental threads, Wallace's exploration of the natural world takes readers on a fascinating tour through the region: from Point Reyes National Park, where an abandoned campfire and an invasion of Douglas fir trees combusted into a dangerous wildfire, to Oakland's Lake Merritt, a surprising site amid skyscrapers for some of the best local bird–watching; from the majestic Diablo Range near San Jose, where conservationists fight against land developers to preserve species like mountain lions and golden eagles, to the Golden Gate itself, the iconic bridge that—geologically speaking—leads not to gold but to serpentine. Each essay explores a different place throughout the four corners of the Bay Area, uncovering the flora and fauna that make each so extraordinary.With a naturalist's eye, a penchant for local history, and an obvious passion for the subject, Wallace's new collection is among the first nature writing dedicated entirely to the Bay Area. Informative, engrossing, and exquisitely described, Mountains and Marshes affords unexpected yet familiar views of a beloved region that, even amidst centuries of growth and change, is as dynamic as it is timeless.

"Small-boat sailing" was first published in Yachting Monthly in August of 1912.

An accessible guide to the changes we can all make-small and large-to rid our lives of disposable plastic and clean up the world's oceans How to Give Up Plastic is a straightforward guide to eliminating plastic from your life. Going room by room through your home and workplace, Greenpeace activist Will McCallum teaches you how to spot disposable plastic items and find plastic-free, sustainable alternatives to each one. From carrying a reusable straw, to catching microfibers when you wash your clothes, to throwing plastic-free parties, you'll learn new and intuitive ways to reduce plastic waste. And by arming you with a wealth of facts about global plastic consumption and anecdotes from activists fighting plastic around the world, you'll also learn how to advocate to businesses and leaders in your community and across the country to commit to eliminating disposable plastics for good.It takes 450 years for a plastic bottle to fully biodegrade, and there are around 12.7 million tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. At our current pace, in the year 2050 there could be more plastic in the oceans than fish, by weight. These are alarming figures, but plastic pollution is an environmental crisis with a solution we can all contribute to.

A critical and interdisciplinary exploration of our world's continuously urbanizing and expanding coastline. For centuries, cities have grown and expanded onto previously saturated grounds; "reclaiming" land from estuaries, marshes, mangroves, and seabeds. While these artificial coastlines are sites of tremendous real estate, civic, and infrastructural investments, they are also the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. 'Terra-Sorta-Firma' documents the global extent of reclaimed coastal lands, and provides a framework for comparison across varying geographies, cultures, and histories. It renders visible the ubiquity and precarity of urban coastal reclamation in an age of increased environmental and economic indeterminacy. It challenges designers, developers, policymakers, engineers, and urbanists to reconsider the design and construction of land itself, and to re-imagine this most fundamental of all infrastructures along a gradient of inundation

A beautifully illustrated paperback guide to the trees of the world, Trees: An Illustrated Field Guide is a must-have for any amateur naturalist's backpack. Learn to recognize trees on sight through their leaf shapes, body shapes, bark, and fruits!

Ron Joseph, a passionate birder, grew up in rural Maine and spent more than thirty years working throughout the state as a wildlife biologist. Bald Eagles, Bear Cubs, and Hermit Bill is a compilation of more than forty stories from his early years spanning his adult life working in the woods and along the coast. Among other adventures, Joseph learned to drive a hay truck at ten, was once rescued by a hermit, visited lumber camps, counted deer dung, and tracked the return of eagles to the state sky. The book includes an introduction by Paul Doiron, author of the Mike Bowditch series of Maine crime novels and former editor-in-chief of Down East magazine.

The ultimate pocket-sized guide to more than 300 feathered residents of North America's Eastern Region. Whether you are a budding bird-watcher hoping to find species in woodland or someone curious about the feathered visitors in your own backyard, find out everything there is to know about your favorite feathered friends, with this pocket-sized guide to many of the birds found in North America's Eastern Region.Compact and easy-to-use, this stunning field guide is perfect for any bird and birding enthusiast, regardless of age or level of experience. High-quality photographs bring the bird species most commonly seen west of the Great Plains to life on the page, capturing their beauty and making identification quick and effortless. Significant differences in plumage variation between juvenile and adult, male and female, and winter and summer are clearly pictured.Soar into the pages of this beloved book on birds to discover:- Detailed bird profiles include information on behavior, habits, and flight patterns to ensure accurate identification.- Covers 370 species commonly seen in the Eestern region of North America.- Full-color photographs show the adult bird in typical plumage, with male/female, juvenile, and seasonal variations included as appropriate.- Detailed illustrations show typical plumage and posture in flight.- Maps accurately locate where the bird can be seen in summer, in winter, all year round, and on migration.- Includes free access to audio recordings of bird songs and calls to aid identification. Ideal for the dedicated bird-watcher, this beautiful bird-watching book includes stunning full-color photographs of over birds, revealing each species with unrivaled clarity. The reference pages pack in more data with lists of record breakers and endangered species, as well as many other fun facts. The Pocket Genius series is perfect for all children, whether they are learning about birds or are amateur bird spotters already! Produced in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History, Pocket Birds of North America Eastern Region is an essential field guide for identifying birds in North America.

"A photographic reference that covers more than 420 species--all birds that breed or are regularly seen in the western region of North America--and includes information on behavior, nesting, and habitat."--

"Much of Kentucky is underlain by carbonate rocks, mainly limestone, which has produced a topography known as karst, characterized by caves, sinking streams, and numerous springs of cool, clear water. Spring water has long been viewed as the purest sort of water. In the latter part of the eighteenth century, as settlers came into the region, lands were selected and surveyed with two priorities in mind: the fertility of the soil and the presence of a copious fresh-water spring. These two features were perceived sufficient for the needs of homesteads and communities. Thus, the pattern of pioneer settlement was largely determined by the locations of suitable springs. In Bluegrass Paradise: The Royal Spring of Georgetown, Kentucky, Gary A. O'Dell tells the story of the Royal Spring, the largest spring in central Kentucky. The spring is the reason the site of Georgetown was chosen during the pioneer settlement era in order to assure the inhabitants a supply of pure water. For nearly 250 years, the Royal Spring has faithfully served the water needs of the community of Georgetown, and today the locale is a cherished cultural and historical asset that provides greenspace within a rapidly growing city. Over two and a half centuries as a community water supply, stewardship of the Royal Spring and its riparian corridor has been inconstant. For the first century after settlement, the spring area served as a grassy commons enjoyed by the citizenry, but in the latter part of the nineteenth century it was transformed into an industrial wasteland and dumping ground for rubbish. Generations of artists, ignoring the blighted landscape surrounding the spring, were nevertheless inspired to render the springhead as a tranquil romantic setting, nature at its finest. Lastly, it has been the focus of a century-long effort at remediation intended to transform the neglected area into a serene oasis for contemplation, recreation and community activities, a sorely needed city greenspace and park. Today, the spring is regarded and protected as a priceless natural resource and an historic and cultural asset for Georgetown"--

Discover the wonder of trees—one of the most essential life forms on the planet—in this beautifully illustrated, entertaining, and educational guide from the acclaimed author of What We See in the Stars.Trees are fascinating: The oldest living organism on Earth is a tree, and forest biomes cover one-third of the Earth’s surface. Trees provide fruit, spices, nuts, timber, shade, habitats, and oxygen, as well as absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They can tap into fungal networks in the soil to care for each other by trading water and nutrients and to warn one another of drought and disease.In Trees: An Illustrated Celebration, celebrated artist and author Kelsey Oseid shows us just how vital trees are to the health and beauty of our planet. Her striking naturalistic art is accompanied by fun scientific facts: Some trees have thinner root hairs than human hairs; tree rings provide important information on supernovae and climate change; and you can identify many trees from their leaf shape alone. The world's most stunning, strange, and noteworthy trees—from mangroves and redwoods to baobabs and dragon trees—come to life in Oseid's elegant and playful style.Filled with captivating information and vivid, colorful illustrations, Trees: An Illustrated Celebration will delight and inspire nature lovers of all ages.

An oral history of the Hurricane of 1938 in southeastern Connecticut. Read memories from over 65 people who lived through the storm. Illustrated with more than 60 photographs, many never published before. The hurricane hit on September 21, 1938 with no warning. Wind speeds of 120 miles per hour tore roofs off of houses and schools, uprooted huge trees, and collapsed barns. In New London, a large part of the city burned. After the storm subsided, a tidal surge raced up the Thames River flooding the city of Norwich in places to a depth of eleven feet. Bridges were washed away, dams were washed out and the city was left cut off from all outside communication. Along the shore in Connecticut and Rhode Island, seaside communities were washed away, never to be rebuilt. Within three hours all of southeastern New England was devastated.This book covers Norwich and its surrounding towns including: Preston, Griswold, Sprague, Canterbury, and Bozrah. Stories are also included from coastal towns such as New London, Lord's Point, and Watch Hill and Misquamicut, Rhode Island. Written in partnership with The Norwich Bulletin.

America's vanishing wetlands are an issue at the forefront of the nation's consciousness. Join La Loutre, the grandmotherly otter, as she gently tells of her life in the Louisiana marsh - and how wetland loss is affecting her family, other wildlife, plants and humans. A story as suitable for adults as it is for children; easy to read with fun illustrations.

Homesteading: Two Prairie Seasons is a book written by Edward West and published in 1918. The book is a memoir of West's experiences as a homesteader in the Canadian prairies during the early 1900s. It is divided into two parts, each covering a different season on the prairie. In the first part, West describes his arrival on the prairie and the challenges he faced in setting up his homestead. He writes about the harsh weather conditions, the isolation, and the hard work required to clear the land and build a home. He also discusses the relationships he formed with his neighbors and the support they provided each other in times of need.The second part of the book covers the second season on the prairie, during which West has become more established and has started to see the fruits of his labor. He writes about his experiences with farming and raising livestock, as well as the joys and hardships of family life on the prairie. He also reflects on the changes he has seen in himself and his community since arriving on the prairie.Overall, Homesteading: Two Prairie Seasons provides a detailed and personal account of life as a homesteader in the Canadian prairies. It offers insight into the challenges and rewards of this way of life, as well as the importance of community and resilience in the face of adversity.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

"Simon & Schuster nonfiction original hardcover"--Title page verso.

Record-breaking weather events. Strange beasties that literally created a buzz. A restless universe tossing rocks at our planet. All with a raging coronavirus afflicting our world population. Just some of the bizarre happenings that defined 2020. Captured in one bucket here, the read is dizzying and dramatic... and worrying with regard to the future. Are these splashes a glimpse of more aggressive and violent weather, nature and space occurrences to come?

In this exciting adventure mixed with amazing scientific study, a young, exuberant explorer and geoscientist journeys deep into the Amazon—where rivers boil and legends come to life.When Andrés Ruzo was just a small boy in Peru, his grandfather told him the story of a mysterious legend: There is a river, deep in the Amazon, which boils as if a fire burns below it. Twelve years later, Ruzo—now a geoscientist—hears his aunt mention that she herself had visited this strange river. Determined to discover if the boiling river is real, Ruzo sets out on a journey deep into the Amazon. What he finds astounds him: In this long, wide, and winding river, the waters run so hot that locals brew tea in them; small animals that fall in are instantly cooked. As he studies the river, Ruzo faces challenges more complex than he had ever imaged. The Boiling River follows this young explorer as he navigates a tangle of competing interests—local shamans, illegal cattle farmers and loggers, and oil companies. This true account reads like a modern-day adventure, complete with extraordinary characters, captivating plot twists, and jaw-dropping details—including stunning photographs and a never-before-published account about this incredible natural wonder. Ultimately, though, The Boiling River is about a man trying to understand the moral obligation that comes with scientific discovery —to protect a sacred site from misuse, neglect, and even from his own discovery.

Five stunningly large forests remain on Earth: the Taiga, extending from the Pacific Ocean across all of Russia and far-northern Europe; the North American boreal, ranging from Alaska's Bering seacoast to Canada's Atlantic shore; the Amazon, covering almost the entirety of South America's bulge; the Congo, occupying parts of six nations in Africa's wet equatorial middle; and the island forest of New Guinea, twice the size of California.These mega forests are vital to preserving global biodiversity, thousands of cultures and a stable climate, as economist John W. Reid and celebrated biologist Thomas E. Lovejoy argue convincingly in Ever Green. Mega forests serve an essential role in decarbonising the atmosphere-the boreal alone holds 1.8 trillion metric tons of carbon in its deep soils and peat layers, 190 years' worth of global emissions at 2019 levels-and saving them is the most immediate and affordable large-scale solution to our planet's most formidable ongoing crisis.Reid and Lovejoy offer practical solutions to address the biggest challenges these forests face, from vastly expanding protected areas, to supporting Indigenous forest stewards, to planning smarter road networks. In gorgeous prose that evokes the majesty of these ancient forests along with the people and animals who inhabit them, Reid and Lovejoy take us on an exhilarating global journey.

First published in 1863, ¿Snow-Flakes - A Chapter from the Book of Nature¿ is a wonderful collection of poems, reflections, and anecdotes connected by the common theme of the snowflake. These beautiful pieces explore it's shape, structure, and beauty, punctuated by wonderful illustrations depicting snowflakes in various different forms. This vintage book is highly recommended for all poetry and nature lovers, and it would make for a charming addition to any collection. Israel Perkins Warren (1814 ¿ 1892) was an American author and journalist. Other notable works by this author include: ¿Our Father's Book¿ (1885), ¿The Book of Revelation¿ (1885), and ¿The Parousiä (1879).