Synopses & Reviews
The seventh biannual issue of the most authoritative report on the global environment brings together in a highly readable format the latest ideas on a broad spectrum of urban environmental issues and suggests strategies for addressing them. The authors pool the vast resources of the World
Resources Institute, the United Nations Development and Environment Programmes, and the World Bank to analyze the impact of urban development on human health and welfare, on the environment, and on economic performance.
The report provides a fascinating analysis of the environmental challenges facing the world's cities--where 50 percent of the global population will live by the year 2000. Included in this comprehensive survey are cities such as Detroit, where urban sprawl is leading to poverty and environmental
degradation in the inner city core; Manila, where three out of every four people live in unauthorized housing; Mexico City, where air pollution contributes to 6,400 deaths each year; and densely packed Jakarta, whose 8 million residents live without a water-borne sewage system. The 170-page section
on the urban environment includes a comparison of urban conditions and trends throughout the developing and developed world, a sobering look at the impacts of urban environmental conditions on human health and productivity, a timely analysis of how urban transportation systems are contributing to
environmental problems, and, finally, a close-up look at creative strategies based on case studies from cities and communities across the globe.
True to its reputation as the definitive reference on the world environment, the new Report also includes up-to-date tables and analysis on numerous topics, including basic economic indicators, forests and rangelands, atmosphere and climate, biodiversity, and water resources. Key data on more
than 150 countries are included. Published simultaneously in seven languages, this indispensable resource arms students and decisionmakers with valuable information for the development of policies that effectively and sparingly manage the global environment and natural resources.
Review
"A long awaited, much-needed guide to the herpetofauna of a state at the crossroads of north and south."--CHOICE
"Read, and own, this fine book and learn how to find and help protect your herp friends."--The Independent
"Will do much towards teaching New Yorkers and their neighbors about their herpetofauna and will hopefully open their eyes to the many threats these animals face in modern times. The suggestions provided here to protect and conserve the habitats of these animals will go a long way to ensure that New York will not lose these species to statewide extinction." --Joseph C. Mitchell, University of Richmond
"The authors of this solid book combine a huge amount of experience and together probably have more expertise than those of any other state guide. I particularly enjoyed the sections on the history of herpetology studies in New York State and the nods to the urban herpetofauna of New York City. The book is explicitly oriented toward people who want to identify specimens they've encountered and learn more about the animals in their area." --Russell Burke, Hofstra University
"Gibbs offers a long-awaited, much-needed guide to the herpetofauna of a state at the crossroads of north and south."--Choice
"Species descriptions are marvelously detailed, putting their field-guide forbears to shame. Every time I pick up this handsome volume, and I do often since it arrived in my office, I stand in awe of its clever, user-friendly organization."--Adirondack Explorer
"Read, and own, this fine book and learn how to find and help protect your herp friends."--The Independent
"Will do much towards teaching New Yorkers and their neighbors about their herpetofauna and will hopefully open their eyes to the many threats these animals face in modern times. The suggestions provided here to protect and conserve the habitats of these animals will go a long way to ensure that New York will not lose these species to statewide extinction." --Joseph C. Mitchell, University of Richmond
"The authors of this solid book combine a huge amount of experience and together probably have more expertise than those of any other state guide. I particularly enjoyed the sections on the history of herpetology studies in New York State and the nods to the urban herpetofauna of New York City. The book is explicitly oriented toward people who want to identify specimens they've encountered and learn more about the animals in their area." --Russell Burke, Hofstra University
"Eastern Canadian naturalists will find this book a must for their bookshelves as an excellent reference not just to the species included, but also for the conservation approaches and philosophy."--The Canadian Field-Naturalist
Synopsis
This is the first guide yet produced to the amphibians and reptiles of New York State, a large and heavily populated state that hosts a surprisingly diverse and interesting community of amphibians and reptiles. This much needed guide to the identification, distribution, natural history and conservation of the amphibians and reptiles of New York State fill a long-empty niche.
The book is the first comprehensive presentation of the distributional data gathered for the New York State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project. With more than 60,000 records compiled from 1990-1999, this extraordinary and up-to-date database provides a rich foundation for the book. This volume provides detailed narratives on the 69 species native to New York State. With a heavy emphasis on conservation biology, the book also includes chapters on threats, legal protections, habitat conservation guidelines, and conservation case studies.
Also included are 67 distribution maps and 62 pages of color photographs contributed by more than 30 photographers. As a field guide or a desk reference, The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State is indispensable for anyone interested in the vertebrate animals of the Northeast, as well as students, field researchers and natural resource professionals.
Synopsis
This is the first guide yet produced to the amphibians and reptiles of New York State, a large and heavily populated state that hosts a surprisingly diverse and interesting community of amphibians and reptiles. This much needed guide to the identification, distribution, natural history and
conservation of the amphibians and reptiles of New York State fill a long-empty niche.
The book is the first comprehensive presentation of the distributional data gathered for the New York State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project. With more than 60,000 records compiled from 1990-1999, this extraordinary and up-to-date database provides a rich foundation for the book. This volume
provides detailed narratives on the 69 species native to New York State. With a heavy emphasis on conservation biology, the book also includes chapters on threats, legal protections, habitat conservation guidelines, and conservation case studies.
Also included are 67 distribution maps and 62 pages of color photographs contributed by more than 30 photographers. As a field guide or a desk reference, The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State is indispensable for anyone interested in the vertebrate animals of the Northeast, as well as
students, field researchers and natural resource professionals.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
2. Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State
3. New York State's Environment as Habitat for Amphibians and Reptiles
4. Salamanders
5. Frogs and Toads
6. Turtles
7. Lizards and Snakes
8. Threats
9. Legal Protections
10. Habitat Conservation Guidelines
11. Conservation Case Studies
12. Finding and Studying Amphibians and Reptiles
13. Folklore
14. Epilogue
"Herp Atlas" report card
Resources
Glossary
Literature Cited
Index