British Columbia - (Natural History of North America) by Sydney Cannings & Richard Cannings (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A vivid exploration of British Columbia's rich ecology and stunning biodiversity--now in a newly updated, streamlined edition.

British Columbia is one of the most biologically rich places on Earth--home to roughly three-quarters of all of Canada's biodiversity within a single province. From ancient coastal rainforests and flower-strewn grasslands to glacier-carved mountains and teeming coastal waters, it is a naturalist's paradise.

Perfect for nature lovers and environmentalists alike, British Columbia is an accessible, region-by-region tour of the province's landscapes and living communities, including:

• The Pacific coast and marine ecosystems
• Temperate rainforests and inland forests
• Grasslands, wetlands, and alpine environments

Along the way, the authors explain key ecological processes and tackle pressing environmental issues such as climate change, forestry practices, and whaling, showing how global forces and local decisions shape the plants, animals, and habitats of the province.

In engaging prose and lively sidebars, the book explores the ecology of the province, covering such topics as how the trees around Fort Nelson survive weeks of -40 degree Celsius temperatures, why lemmings and snowshoe hares can be abundant one year and scarce the next, and how clearcuts affect future forests.

Both an authoritative reference and an easy-to-read guide, this revised edition of British Columbia is a must for anyone who wants detailed and up-to-date information about British Columbia's dazzling natural variety.

About the Author

Richard Cannings works as a consulting biologist assessing endangered species and organizing broad-scale bird population surveys. He is the author of Birdfinding in British Columbia with Russell Cannings and, with Sydney Cannings, The New B.C. Roadside Naturalist.

Sydney Cannings is a biologist working on species at risk for Environment Canada in Whitehorse, Yukon. He is the coauthor of Geology of British Columbia, and he has also worked as an endangered species specialist for the British Columbia government.