Some books really are landmarks. Not just another guidebook, this 527-page volume describes every mammal found in the fourth largest country on earth. Containing 61 plates, six maps, and 25 habitat photos (all in color), a glossary and a key to the orders of Chinese mammals, this book is a comprehensive compilation of the systematics, identification, distribution, natural history and conservation status of more than 550 species. Highly readable, beautifully illustrated and easy to use.

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Fire is a defining element in Canadian land and life. With few exceptions, Canada’s forests and prairies have evolved with fire. Its peoples have exploited fire and sought to protect themselves from its excesses, and since Confederation, the country has devised various institutions to connect fire and society. The choices Canadians have made says a great deal about their national character. Awful Splendour narrates the history of this grand saga. It will interest geographers, historians, and members of the fire community.

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This volume serves as a history of evolutionary thought and offers historic markers for the complex process by which two once connected and then independent theories of evolution and development have again became synthesized into the relatively new science of evolutionary developmental (Evo-Devo) biology. A compilation of papers developed at a forum of historians, biologists and philosophers gathered at the Dibner Institute at MIT, Evo-Devo challenges the reader to step outside black and white static worlds and acknowledge that everything under the sun is subject to adaptation and change, including the very way we think about change.

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This volume investigates the epistemological and cultural significance of the category “general” in the sciences of the 19th and early 20th century. It analyzes how, in several scientific disciplines – from biology and physics, to history and medicine – ideas about generality and universality emerged as a focus for scientific theorizing. It demonstrates that “general” as a scientific value has its own history that is rooted in the specific trajectories of respective scientific disciplines and their cultural milieu. This study provides important insights for similar attempts to integrate an ever-increasing number of scientific disciplines and subdisciplines within a framework of inte–, multi–, or transdisciplinarity.

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A contribution to the philosophy of biology literature, this book explores the nature of development against current trends in biological theory and practice and looks at the interrelations between development and evolution (evo-devo), an area of resurgent biological interest.

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Ecological stoichiometry is the study of the balance of multiple chemical elements in ecological interactions. This book attempts to unify ecology and evolution by showing how an understanding of the shared chemical core of organisms from microbes to metazoa provides the key to making sense of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

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Noted environmental historian Stephen J. Pyne describes the evolution of fire through prehistoric and historic times down to the present, examining contemporary attitudes from a long-range, informed perspective. Pyne describes how fire's role in cities, suburbs, exurbs, and wildlands has been shaped by an industrialized, urban way of thinking. This book is of value to readers interested in the environment from the standpoint of anthropology, geography, forestry, science and technology, history, or the humanities.

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The wildfires of the summer of 1910 scorched millions of acres in the western states, depositing soot as far away as Greenland. Through the experiences and words of rangers, soldiers, politicians, scientists, and the volunteers who fought the fires and were forever scarred by them, acclaimed historian and former forest fire fighter Stephen Pyne tells the story of that catastrophic year and its indelible legacy on the firefighting policies of today. More than a memorable adventure tale, this is the story of a profound event that continues to shape American life.

Among this new collection are thirty-two original articles that address many issues that have sparked public concern in the wake of disastrous wildfires in the West, such as fire ecology, federal fire management, and questions relating to fire suppression. Pyne makes it clear that humans and fire interact at particular places and times to profoundly shape the world, and that understanding the contexts in which fire occurs can tell us much about the world's natural and cultural landscapes.

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A brilliant discussion of the politics of fire by one of the country’s most knowledgeable writers on the subject, Stephen J. Pyne. Once a fire fighter himself (for fifteen seasons, on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon) Pyne gives us for the first time a book-length discussion of fire policy, of how we have come to this pass, and where we might go from here.

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To purchase: Send $10 in cash or check (payable to Steve Pyne) to: Brittlebush Valley 15221 North 61st Ave Glendale, AZ 85306 Price includes shipping.

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This book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date review and synthesis of concepts, theories, methods and case studies in scaling and uncertainty analysis in ecology and related fields. It is the first of its kind to explicitly consider uncertainty and error analysis as an integral part of scaling. Topics covered include population and ecosystem processes, biodiversity and landscape patterns, and management and policy-making issues.

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This book brings together leading scientists to provide an up-to-date survey of recent advances and identify key research topics for the rapidly evolving field of landscape ecology. It provides in-depth reviews of the principles and methods for understanding landscape patterns and processes, and is an essential reference for graduate students and professionals in ecology, environmental science, and landscape planning and design.

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This book presents the statistical methods that are useful in the study of molecular evolution and illustrates how to use them in actual data analysis. It is appropriate for graduate students and researchers (assuming a basic knowledge of evolution, moecular biology, and elementary statistics), allowing many investigators to incorporate refined statistical analysis of large-scale data in their own work.

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The Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region is the first comprehensive account of all species known from the North American Southwest including large parts of northwest Mexico. Volume I provides a a substantial introduction to terminology used with lichens, included keys to most groups, and descriptions for almost 600 lichen species. Volume II extends the coverage and completes the coverage of the macrolichens and almost all of the lichenicolous fungi (species occurring on lichens). Volume II is dedicated to Bruce Douglas Ryan who died in January 2004 loosing his battle with liver cancer. You can order this book directly from the ASU Lichen Herbarium. Please send an e-mail to Dr. Thomas Nash tom.nash@asu.edu.

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Why microorganisms associated with invertebrates are important to mankind. Every living thing is associated with a host of microorganisms that contribute to its health or disease, feast upon its wastes, decompose it when it dies, or simply go along for the ride. These are stories of the scientists who were clever enough not only to use diseases to control pest populations, but also to use modern biology to make products based on invertebrate diseases which hold promise for even greater benefits in the future.

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Science and technology continually transform our experience and society in ways that often seem to be beyond our control. Today, different areas of research and innovation are advancing synergistically, multiplying the rate and magnitude of technological and societal change, with consequences that no one can predict. This book explores the origins, nature, and meaning of such change, and our capacity to govern it. Leading writers and thinkers come together to confront this question from many perspectives.

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Prediction offers a fascinating and wide-ranging look at the interdependent scientific, political, and social factors involved in using science-based predictions to guide policy making. It is the first book to look at the numerous and varied scientific, social, and political factors involved in making and using predictions relevant to a wide range of current environmental controversies and challenges. It provides much-needed context for understanding predictions and scientific pronouncements, and is an important work for anyone concerned with interactions between science and policy making.

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Regents’ Professor and animal behaviorist, John Alcock, takes the reader orchid hunting in Australia and delves into the bizarre, unusual and downright weird “relationships” of orchids with their pollinators. A fascinating read, with appeal to orchid lovers and devotees of evolutionary adaptation alike.

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One cannot help being struck with wonder at the vivid pink of 10,000 flamingos rising from Lake Nakuru or the glowing red gorget of a ruby-throated hummingbird feeding outside the kitchen window. How birds produce the brilliant and striking coloration of their feathers and other body parts is the focus of Volume 1 of Bird Coloration. Sumptuously illustrated, including a synthesis of more than 1,500 technical paper in this field. This book is essential reading for biologists and a treasure for anyone curious about how birds produce and perceive their bold and brilliant color displays.

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One cannot help being struck with wonder at the vivid pink of 10,000 flamingos rising from Lake Nakuru or the glowing red gorget of a ruby-throated hummingbird feeding outside the kitchen window. In Volume 2 authors investigate the function of the colorful displays of the birds and the factors that shape the evolution fo color signals (Harvard Press).

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Brennan and Holycross survey all 82 species of amphibians and reptiles found in Maricopa County, and then extend their work to include all species in the state of Arizona.  Compact, with extraordinary illustrations, these publications are both practical tools and colorful catalogs of the diversity of the wildlife found in Arizona and its counties.

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Brennan and Holycross survey all 82 species of amphibians and reptiles found in Maricopa County, and then extend their work to include all species in the state of Arizona.  Compact, with extraordinary illustrations, these publications are both practical tools and colorful catalogs of the diversity of the wildlife found in Arizona and its counties.

Tiger beetles are one of the most popular and widely distributed insect families found worldwide. This natural history guide colorfully illustrates all 107 known tiger beetle species found north of the Mexican border, with two distinctly different keys. A must for serious and amateur naturalists!

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Regents' Professor and director of the Center for Biology and Society, Maienschein “brings current debate into sharper focus by examining developments in stem cell research, cloning and embryology in historical and philosophical context and by exploring legal, social and ethical issues at the heart of what has become a political controversy” (Harvard Press).

2004 Independent Publisher Book Awards Finalist in the Science Category

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A magnificent compendium of the more than 500 freshwater fish native to Mexico. Delving into the range, habitat, diversity and evolutionary history of each species, this reference not only illuminates the rich biota of Mexico, but allows a comprehensive understanding of the fishes found in Arizona.

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A fresh and provocative read examining the intellectual foundations of American environmentalism, focusing on four early pioneers in conservation and planning: Liberty Hyde Bailey, Lewis Mumford, Benton MacKaye, and Aldo Leopold. A journey of discovery showing how the pragmatic roots of American environmentalism can play an active role in new, present-day civic-minded environmentalism.

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Author of a dozen books on fire, Pyne returns to focus on Australia, where he examines its enormous influence on the national consciousness and culture. “Pyne traces the environmental and social significance of the use of fire to shape the environment through Australian history, from Aboriginal usage into modern times” (Scribe).

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