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Priceless Florida: Natural Ecosystems and Native Species
Priceless Florida presents the incomparable ecological riches of this unique region in a way that will appeal to young and old, laypersons and scientists. A cornucopia of colorful illustrations and exquisite photos makes you feel you're there. The comprehensive text enlightens with facts and brims with intriguing curiosities while bridging multiple fields in a crisp, readable style that only seasoned science-educators like Drs. Whitney, Means, and Rudloe could offer. The authors enlighten us on every kind of natural area found within the Sunshine State. Imagine yourself trekking into a hammock, slogging through a swamp, floating down a river, strolling along a beach, hovering over a coral reef, or probing the depths of an underwater cave. You'll discover how everything from soils, rocks, water, and landforms shape flora and fauna -- and vice versa. You'll also learn how the survival of some of the world's most endangered species and ecosystems hinges on our actions.
423 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
5 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Whitney
122 books14 followersDr. Ellie Whitney, Ph.D., grew up in New York City and received her BA and PhD degrees in English and Biology at Harvard and Washington Universities. She taught at both Florida State University and Florida A&M University, wrote newspaper columns on environmental matters for the Tallahassee Democrat, and coauthored almost a dozen college textbooks on nutrition, health, and related topics. She spent three decades exploring outdoor Florida and studying its ecology. She co-chairs the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, New Jersey, Green Sanctuary Committee. Now retired, and more concerned about climate change than any other issue, she volunteers full-time for the nonpartisan national nonprofit Citizens Climate Lobby.
(Bio-clip from Cengage Publishers)
(Bio-clip from Cengage Publishers)
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 1, 2026
This book is the size of a phone book and seems determined to squeeze as much information as possible. Florida's ecosystems are grouped into five chapters, discussing what they are like and why, and what are the main native plants and animals found there. The book is loaded with lots of color photos and illustrations, plus glossary terms and other sidebars.
I tried to make headway in this book a few times over the course of a month, and finally gave up on it to make a fresh start with the new year. Usually I can pinpoint my issues with a book rather easy, but it's less clear to me here. The information is good. The images are excellent, though some are small.
After some thinking about it, I can identify two problems I have with the book. The lesser issue is that, although this was published by Pineapple Press rather University Press of Florida, it was written by three PhDs. The size and style make it feel like a school textbook. My bigger issue is that this book is trying to cram in too much content. Most pages have 2-5 images (a few have even more), many with paragraph-length captions. Almost every page has at least one gray sidebar with glossary terms or species lists in the 2" outer margin, alongside the text. Images are sometimes large and sometimes sometimes small, and vary between the top, bottom, and outer margins of the page. It's simply overwhelming to me as a reader with ADHD. It doesn't help that, as someone with glasses, I find glossy pages (necessary here for all the color images) tend make the pages slightly reflective, meaning it can be difficult for me to read, depending on the lighting conditions.
I can see why this gets good reviews, and I think the average reader interested in Florida ecology will like it.
P.S. I understand there is a newer edition, but my local public library had the older one (2004). Both editions were apparently rather pricey to buy new - not surprising considering the size and color images.
I tried to make headway in this book a few times over the course of a month, and finally gave up on it to make a fresh start with the new year. Usually I can pinpoint my issues with a book rather easy, but it's less clear to me here. The information is good. The images are excellent, though some are small.
After some thinking about it, I can identify two problems I have with the book. The lesser issue is that, although this was published by Pineapple Press rather University Press of Florida, it was written by three PhDs. The size and style make it feel like a school textbook. My bigger issue is that this book is trying to cram in too much content. Most pages have 2-5 images (a few have even more), many with paragraph-length captions. Almost every page has at least one gray sidebar with glossary terms or species lists in the 2" outer margin, alongside the text. Images are sometimes large and sometimes sometimes small, and vary between the top, bottom, and outer margins of the page. It's simply overwhelming to me as a reader with ADHD. It doesn't help that, as someone with glasses, I find glossy pages (necessary here for all the color images) tend make the pages slightly reflective, meaning it can be difficult for me to read, depending on the lighting conditions.
I can see why this gets good reviews, and I think the average reader interested in Florida ecology will like it.
P.S. I understand there is a newer edition, but my local public library had the older one (2004). Both editions were apparently rather pricey to buy new - not surprising considering the size and color images.
February 7, 2023
First off - I'm aware that there's a new version of this book. I bought the old version because it was 12 dollars used including shipping, whereas buying the three volumes of the new edition would have been five times as pricey, and some reviews suggested there's repetitions.
There are inventive aspects of the book, such as putting geology at the end and largely ignoring the locations of cities, etc. The book's primary message is that the natural ecosystem of Florida is self-sustaining and valuable if left alone, which is a valuable message. However, at least one section should have examined introduced species.
As is inevitable, some taxonomical groups get left out. Several times the authors mention microalgae but that just shows that microalgae are really not their strongpoint. The statements they make on the groups are minimal and borderline wrong. It would have been better to illustrate one or two example of Florida specific relationships involving those taxa.
A few mistakes slipped in. Hopefully they were corrected in the later version. For example on page 356 the authors state twice that American eels are the only catadromous species on the continent. Earlier in the book they said that the hogchoker is catadromous. On the next page they say that the leatherback turtle swims "in cold water as far north as Alaska." While technically accurate, this does not reflect their natural history. There have been a couple of sightings of those turtles in extreme southern Alaska over the decades, but to imply that this is part of their range is like saying without context that there are humans on the moon, or that the varied thrush is found in Europe.
Many illustrations are made in a very amateurish way with colored pencils. They are pretty useful, but not visually appealing.
Overall I found the book useful to prepare for a bike trip there.
There are inventive aspects of the book, such as putting geology at the end and largely ignoring the locations of cities, etc. The book's primary message is that the natural ecosystem of Florida is self-sustaining and valuable if left alone, which is a valuable message. However, at least one section should have examined introduced species.
As is inevitable, some taxonomical groups get left out. Several times the authors mention microalgae but that just shows that microalgae are really not their strongpoint. The statements they make on the groups are minimal and borderline wrong. It would have been better to illustrate one or two example of Florida specific relationships involving those taxa.
A few mistakes slipped in. Hopefully they were corrected in the later version. For example on page 356 the authors state twice that American eels are the only catadromous species on the continent. Earlier in the book they said that the hogchoker is catadromous. On the next page they say that the leatherback turtle swims "in cold water as far north as Alaska." While technically accurate, this does not reflect their natural history. There have been a couple of sightings of those turtles in extreme southern Alaska over the decades, but to imply that this is part of their range is like saying without context that there are humans on the moon, or that the varied thrush is found in Europe.
Many illustrations are made in a very amateurish way with colored pencils. They are pretty useful, but not visually appealing.
Overall I found the book useful to prepare for a bike trip there.
April 17, 2011
This book is easy for the interested layperson to read, while not sacrificing accuracy or detail. It would make a great gift for newcomers to Florida, young people who are interested in biology, outdoorspeople who'd like to understand the plants and animals they see while pursuing their sport, or even professionals who want to get up to speed on Florida quickly. It could even be used as a textbook for high school or introductory college classes.
The photos are gorgeous and plentiful, and the text is not jargon-heavy. Unfamiliar terms are used sparingly, and explained when they are. In spite of the textbook-like layout, each chapter devoted to a particular natural community, it's a quick and entertaining read, roughly on the same level as a National Geographic article. It might even inspire you to get out and explore the natural communities it describes.
The photos are gorgeous and plentiful, and the text is not jargon-heavy. Unfamiliar terms are used sparingly, and explained when they are. In spite of the textbook-like layout, each chapter devoted to a particular natural community, it's a quick and entertaining read, roughly on the same level as a National Geographic article. It might even inspire you to get out and explore the natural communities it describes.
September 19, 2009
I heard about this book while walking a trail at the Leon Sinks Geological Area near Tallahassee. One of the people I met on the walk was Bruce Means, a herpetologist who contributed to the book. He recommended it and I wrote it down on a teeny tiny scrap of paper. It took me awhile to actually pick up a copy, but I was glad I did.
The material is very well put together, extremely easy to read, and very fascinating. I haven't read anything else that illustrated the inter-related webs in an environment so well. It really makes me wish every state had a book like this, especially my own state of California.
The material is very well put together, extremely easy to read, and very fascinating. I haven't read anything else that illustrated the inter-related webs in an environment so well. It really makes me wish every state had a book like this, especially my own state of California.
January 3, 2009
As I'm using this book for mild research, I suppose I should talk about the more concrete merits of this book...but it's super fun to read! With fantastic pictures and interesting facts that really place you in the context of the outdoor Florida that so many people are unaware of. I highly recommend it for pleasure and more serious reading.
October 4, 2012
What a wonderful book. Easy to read and follow. Great pictures. Wish I had found it earlier.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews