Habitats of the World

Synopsis

The first field guide to all of the world's major land habitats-richly illustrated and packed with essential information to help you get the most out of your outdoor adventures

Accurately identifying and understanding habitats in detail is essential to any birder, naturalist, outdoor enthusiast, or ecologist who wants to get the most out of their experiences in the field. Habitats of the World is the first field guide to the world's major land habitats-189 in all. Using the format of a natural history field guide, this compact, accessible, and comprehensive book features concise identification descriptions and is richly illustrated-including more than 650 color photographs of habitats and their wildlife, 150 distribution maps, 200 diagrams, and 150 silhouettes depicting each habitat alongside a human figure, providing an immediate grasp of its look and scale. Each major habitat has an illustrated "climate box" that allows easy comparisons between habitats. Thirty other illustrated boxes present clear explanations of complex phenomena affecting habitats-from plate tectonics and mountain formation to fire regimes and climate change. Requiring no scientific background, Habitats of the World offers quick and reliable information for anyone who wants a deeper understanding and appreciation of the habitats around them, whether in their own backyard or while travelling anywhere in the world.

• Covers 189 of the world's major land habitats
• Provides all the information you need to quickly and accurately identify and understand habitats anywhere in the world
• Features concise text, more than 650 color photographs of habitats and their wildlife, an up-to-date distribution map for each habitat, and hundreds of helpful diagrams and illustrations

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Summary

Chapter 1: Forests

* Summary:
* Forests cover 30% of the Earth's land surface, hosting a remarkable diversity of life.
* They provide essential ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, and air purification.
* Real Example: Amazon Rainforest
* The Amazon Rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world, is home to an estimated 10% of the world's known species and plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate.

Chapter 2: Grasslands

* Summary:
* Grasslands are vast, open areas dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants.
* They support large herds of grazing animals and provide important habitat for a variety of wildlife.
* Real Example: African Savannah
* The African Savannah, stretching across much of the continent, is home to iconic wildlife such as lions, elephants, and giraffes, who thrive in its open grasslands and scattered trees.

Chapter 3: Wetlands

* Summary:
* Wetlands are areas of land that are saturated with water for part of the year.
* They are essential for flood control, water purification, and wildlife habitat.
* Real Example: Florida Everglades
* The Florida Everglades, a vast subtropical wetland ecosystem, is home to a unique assemblage of plants and animals, including endangered species such as the Florida panther and the American crocodile.

Chapter 4: Deserts

* Summary:
* Deserts are arid regions characterized by extreme temperatures, low rainfall, and sparse vegetation.
* They are home to specialized plants and animals that have adapted to these harsh conditions.
* Real Example: Sahara Desert
* The Sahara Desert, the world's largest hot desert, is home to resilient plants such as cacti and succulent shrubs, as well as animals like the Fennec Fox and the Desert Cobra.

Chapter 5: Tundra

* Summary:
* Tundra is a biome characterized by cold temperatures, low vegetation, and permafrost.
* It supports a limited variety of plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh climate.
* Real Example: Arctic Tundra
* The Arctic Tundra, located in the northernmost regions of the Earth, is home to hardy species such as polar bears, reindeer, and arctic foxes, who navigate the frozen landscape and limited vegetation.