The Everglades Handbook: Understanding the Ecosystem

by Thomas E. Lodge

The second edition of a bestseller, The Everglades Handbook: Understanding the Ecosystem continues to provide a wealth of information on the entire ecosystem of the Everglades. Offering the essentials of what the ecosystem is and how it works, the Handbook benefits those addressing issues such as Everglades restoration, water management, wildlife management, and water quality problems in urban and agricultural planning.

With an emphasis on natural history, the text is unified around themes of biogeography and ecosystem functions of the plant and animal communities. It presents current and historical geology, discussions of human impacts, ecosystem degradation, and planned restoration, and covers the socioeconomic aspects of the Everglades ecosystem.

What's new in the Second Edition:

Additional chapter on Big Cypress Swamp

New section on Lake Okeechobee and its headwaters

A new synthesis chapter which diagrams ecological succession and food webs

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature

Paperback

First published May 1, 1994

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Provides fairly in-depth discussion of the historic glades, natural history, ecology, human impact on the glades, and restoration. Also provides tons of resources if you want to research specific areas in greater depth. Definitely recommend to anyone planning a visit or interested in the Everglades.

[Ted Manahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good textbook

[Mark Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Lodge was a coworker in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program with me when I worked at Parsons Brinckerhoff. We spent some great times afield in the Glades. This book is a very readable yet comprehensive treatment of the abiotic and biotic systems that make up this globally unique habitat. Suitable as a survey textbook for High School or College.

[Les Gehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone with an interest in the ecosystem of the Everglades, this book is a must read. It is pricey but I haven't found any other book that gives such a complete overview of how the Everglades came to be, how they are now, and what the future may hold for them.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great natural history sections, geology tough to get through. Skipped the restoration sections, couldn't stomach it.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the BOMB. It is such a huge accomplishment. A 6!

[Pat Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for read for all lovers of the Everglades.

[Robert Wechsler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very dry, but valuable book for anyone planning to visit the Everglades, the Great Cypress Swamp, and other natural spaces in southern Florida