Sierra Club Naturalist's Guide to Southern New England

by Neil Jorgensen, Neil Jorgenson

Hikers, backpackers, and casual walkers will find this Sierra Club Naturalist's Guide an invaluable companion in exploring the countryside of southern New England. Most field guides tell the reader what to look for in the landscape; this book also explains how to look, how earth and life forms interact in the ecosystem, and why each species exists where it does.

Southern New England comprises several ecological communities, including the oak and mixed mesophytic forests, the old field, sand plain, and stream bank communities. The author identifies the characteristic plants and animals of each community, and the role of geography, geology, and climate in determining their presence and distribution. He provides keys to understanding ecological succession, identifying species by community, recognition in different seasons, and looking for anomaly. The book also offers sound advice about off-trail travel (what to wear, what maps to carry, hazards to watch for); even tips on growing native plants and attracting birds. Graphic aids include over 150 line drawings, black-and-white and color photographs, range graphs, and charts.

Genres: Nature

417 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1978

Reviews

[Richard Liu]

Highlights for me included: the relationship between geography and ecological conditions for forests - successional patterns of forests and wetlands - the use of pollen caught in peat bogs to track forest migration since the ice age - a discussion of soil composition and its effect on vegetation

[Alan Spatrick]

An excellent introduction to the climate, geology, trees, shrubs, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds of southern New England. Well written. Not many useful illustrations, though.

[Drew Stock]

Pretty much the perfect overview. Zero notes. Only wish they would do a modern edition as some info has become slightly out-of-date.