Mountain Nature - by Jennifer Frick-Ruppert (Paperback)

About the Book

Mountain Nature: A Seasonal Natural History of the Southern Appalachians

Book Synopsis

The Southern Appalachians are home to a breathtakingly diverse array of living things--from delicate orchids to carnivorous pitcher plants, from migrating butterflies to flying squirrels, and from brawny black bears to more species of salamander than anywhere else in the world. Mountain Nature is a lively and engaging account of the ecology of this remarkable region. It explores the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachians and the webs of interdependence that connect them.

Within the region's roughly 35 million acres, extending from north Georgia through the Carolinas to northern Virginia, exists a mosaic of habitats, each fostering its own unique natural community. Stories of the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachians are intertwined with descriptions of the seasons, giving readers a glimpse into the interlinked rhythms of nature, from daily and yearly cycles to long-term geological changes. Residents and visitors to Great Smoky Mountains or Shenandoah National Parks, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or any of the national forests or other natural attractions within the region will welcome this appealing introduction to its ecological wonders.

Review Quotes

A lively and engaging account of the ecology of this remarkable region. . . . Stories of the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachians are intertwined with descriptions of the seasons, giving readers a glimpse into the interlinked rhythms of nature, from daily and yearly cycles to long-term geological changes. . . . Residents and visitors . . . within the region will welcome this appealing introduction to its ecological wonders.--Southeastern Naturalist

An homage as much as a guide, a model of regional studies and a noteworthy event.--The Read on WNC

Deeply engaging and well written and should be required reading for scholars of the environmental humanities. . . . Nature enthusiasts seeking an accessible entry-point into the dazzling natural diversity of Appalachia will find Mountain Nature to be an excellent source as well; and because it covers such a wide array of subjects, even the lifelong Appalachian local will learn something new about his or her home region.--H-Net Reviews

Fun and engaging. . . . This very accessible work will be of interest to a wide audience of readers, especially those who wish to enhance their enjoyment of the flora and fauna while exploring this major natural area of the US. . . . Highly recommended.--Choice

This is a volume that can be read straight through, but it is perhaps best savored section by section as each season unfolds." --Virginia Wildlife