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Kentucky's abundance of plant and animal life, from the bottomland swamps in the west to the rich Appalachian forests in the east, is extraordinary as well as beautiful. Glades, prairies, forests, wetlands, rivers, and caves form a biologically diverse patchwork that is unique to the state. Kentucky's Natural Heritage: An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity provides an essential reference to the remarkable natural history of the commonwealth and is a rallying call for the conservation of this priceless legacy.

Kentucky's ecosystems teem with diverse native species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. Kentucky's Natural Heritage brings these sometimes elusive creatures into close view, from black-throated green warblers to lizard skin liverworts. The aquatic systems of the state are home to rainbow darters, ghost crayfish, salamander mussels, and an impressive array of other species that constitute some of the greatest levels of freshwater diversity on the planet.

Kentucky's Natural Heritage presents a persuasive argument for conservation of the state's biodiversity. Organized by a team from the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, the book is an outgrowth of the agency's focus on biodiversity protection.

Richly detailed and lavishly illustrated with more than 250 color photos, maps, and charts, Kentucky's Natural Heritage is the definitive compendium of the commonwealth's amazing diversity. It celebrates the natural beauty of some of the most important ecosystems in the nation and presents a compelling case for the necessity of conservation.

Greg Abernathy is a geographic information systems specialist with the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

Deborah White, natural heritage branch manager and senior botanist at the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, is a coauthor of Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky.

Ellis L. Laudermilk is an invertebrate zoologist at the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

Marc Evans, senior ecologist retired from the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, is a coauthor of Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky and Landscape Restoration Handbook.

Between its covers, readers will find details of Kentucky’s vanished natural areas and catalogue of the increasingly rare animal, plants and unique habitats that urgently need protection. -- Louisville Courier Journal

It is clear that thier collective wisdom as biologists, geologists, and ecologists have coalesced into a current, revelent, and beautifully documented reference and teaching source. . . Recommended. -- Choice

With more than 250 full-color photos, maps and charts, the book details the rich wildlife in our state. -- Kentucky Monthly

This is a big (12-inch by 10-inch), beautiful book about a state that has just about everything except a beach: mountains, swamps, rivers, plains, and, of course, the lovely bluegrass. -- Baton Rouge Advocate

This book is a gem. Every facet is wonderful, and all together it is exceptional. -- Kentucky Libraries

An incredible resource for readers interested in the physiographic and biological facets of the state and should serve as a model for conservation groups that desire to promote awareness and understanding of the natural heritage within other regions or states. -- Emerald Journal

[...] provides an essential reference to the remarkable natural history of the commonwealth and is a rallying call for the conservation of this priceless legacy. -- Northeastern Naturalist

Kentucky's Natural Heritage provides an essential reference to the remarkable natural history of the of the commonwealth and is a rallying call for the conservation of this priceless legacy. -- Northeastern Naturalist

This publication [ . . . ] encourages young people to learn more about the fundamentals of a healthy environment and ensures that knowledge will be passed along to students and the public alike. -- Northern Kentucky Tribune

Publication Date

9-1-2010

Publisher

The University Press of Kentucky

Place of Publication

Lexington, KY

ISBN

9780813125756

eISBN

9780813168678

Keywords

Natural history, Biodiversity, Natural areas, Kentucky

Disciplines

Biology

Kentucky's Natural Heritage: An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity
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