ARS | Publication request: ANCIENT PINON-JUNIPER WOODLANDS

Submitted to: Journal of the West
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: August 4, 2004
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Anyone interested in the natural history of the Southwest must have a copy of Ancient Piñon-Juniper Woodlands. It is an excellent example of descriptive and functional natural history, but it goes beyond the norm with its extensive tables of animals and plants complete with scientific names. Coupled with abundant, quality line drawing illustrations, this becomes a reference volume. For many of the contributors, the volume was obviously a labor of love for the Mesa Verde environment. This is a very comprehensive volume with topics that are not common in similar proceedings. Soils and water resources were correctly identified as critical environmental issues and given excellent coverage. The role of wildfires on woodland environments was given the major coverage it deserves. The role of past domestic livestock grazing in shaping the current Mesa Verde environment could have received greater coverage. This is a great ecologically oriented natural history volume that is a joy to read.