The California Deserts

by Pavlik, Bruce M.

• ISBN13: 9780520251458
• ISBN10: 0520251458
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-07-02
• Publisher: Univ of California Pr

Summary

This highly readable, spectacularly illustrated compendium is an ecological journey into a wondrous land of extremes.The California Desertsexplores the remarkable diversity of life in this harsh yet fragile quarter of the Golden State. In a rich narrative, it illuminates how that diversity, created by drought and heat, has evolved with climate change since the Ice Ages. Along the way, we find there is much to learn from each desert species-- whether it is a cactus, pupfish, tortoise, or bighorn sheep--about adaptation to a warming, arid world. The book tells of human adaptation as well, and is underscored by a deep appreciation for the intimate knowledge acquired by native people during their 12,000-year desert experience. In this sense, the book is a journey of rediscovery, as it reflects on the ways that knowledge has been reclaimed and amplified by new discoveries. The book also takes the measure of the ecological condition of these deserts today, presenting issues of conservation, management, and restoration. With its many sidebars, photographs, and featured topics,The California Desertsprovides a unique introduction to places of remarkable and often unexpected beauty.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction: The Lost Basket

Rediscovery

Coming to Explore

Coming to Conquer

Coming to Understand

Coming to Cherish

A Conspiracy Of Extremes

Geography of a Bioregion

Climate

Geology

Soils

Waters

Operation And Origins

Ecosystem Operations in the Desert Bioregion

Origins of the Desert Bioregion

Remarkable Biota

Biological Diversity: The Richness of Species

Evolving with Drought

Drought-Susceptible Species

Drought-Avoiding Species

Drought-Tolerant Species

Greater Than The Sum Of The Parts

Great Basin Communities

Mojave Communities

Sonoran Communities

Future Of An Arid Bioregion

Current Threats

Ecological Remedies

Weaving a New Basket

References

Art Credits

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.