Encyclopedia of Rainforests

(Hardback)

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Description

Explore the magic and mystery of the world's tropical rainforests in this fascinating volume that brings to life the plants, animals, and people that inhabit this fragile ecosystem. Focusing on the forests situated in the land area between the Tropics of Cancer and the Tropics of Capricorn, the Encyclopedia provides a rich and thorough presentation of the scientific, political, and economic significance of the region. An introductory essay vividly describes the world's tropical forests and sets the stage for understanding the mystery and complexity surrounding the rainforest. More than 50 percent of the world's known plants and animals live in the rainforests. Parts of the book offer interesting descriptions of forest wildlife including amphibians, birds, fish, insects, spiders, mammals, and reptiles and plants, especially flowering plants, ferns, and gymnosperms. Entries in the People section cover 100 forest-dwelling indigenous groups and 54 of the naturalists, scientists, explorers, and activists from around the world who had--or have--an important role in our understanding of rainforests and their conservation. Other parts discuss the principal causes of deforestation, describe efforts to save the tropical forests, and offer extensive lists of rainforest resources, including print and video materials, Web sites, government agencies, conservation groups and international organizations, and organizations and government agencies in the United States and Canada. Maps, charts and graphs, and fifty-four quality color photographs enhance the accessible and easy-to-understand text and help to make this an excellent reference for younger audiences who want to learn about the incredible diversity and complexity of life in tropical forests.

Reviews

.,."a clear-eyed attempt by an environmental journalist to sort out her world for the benefit of the rest of us."-American Scientist
.,."a good choice for a general readership that combines discussion of conservation with an encyclopedia-style lookup feature for plants and animals. Because it covers rainforests across the globe, it is helpful for a library that does not have room for all the other books out there. Recommended for junior high or middle school libraries, undergraduate libraries, and public libraries."-E-STREAMS
.,."a tightly produced volume teeming with short decriptions, definitions, and facts....should be considered by academic and large public libraries."-Booklist/RBB
.,."an excellent introduction to rainforests for high school, public, and undergraduate libraries."-Reference & User Services Quarterly
.,."provides a fine introduction to the world of the rainforest and would be appreciated by any high school/undergraduate library."-Library Journal
...a clear-eyed attempt by an environmental journalist to sort out her world for the benefit of the rest of us.-American Scientist
...a good choice for a general readership that combines discussion of conservation with an encyclopedia-style lookup feature for plants and animals. Because it covers rainforests across the globe, it is helpful for a library that does not have room for all the other books out there. Recommended for junior high or middle school libraries, undergraduate libraries, and public libraries.-E-STREAMS
...a tightly produced volume teeming with short decriptions, definitions, and facts....should be considered by academic and large public libraries.-Booklist/RBB
...an excellent introduction to rainforests for high school, public, and undergraduate libraries.-Reference & User Services Quarterly
...provides a fine introduction to the world of the rainforest and would be appreciated by any high school/undergraduate library.-Library Journal
Recommended for general reference collections at all levels.-CHOICE
This scholarly resource is brimming with fascinating information about rainforests, specifically those in the tropics...it will make an excellent secondary resource for junior high and high school projects...the extensive reading list and resources will be very useful where rainforests are a major interest.-VOYA
..."a clear-eyed attempt by an environmental journalist to sort out her world for the benefit of the rest of us."-American Scientist
..."a tightly produced volume teeming with short decriptions, definitions, and facts....should be considered by academic and large public libraries."-Booklist/RBB
..."an excellent introduction to rainforests for high school, public, and undergraduate libraries."-Reference & User Services Quarterly
..."provides a fine introduction to the world of the rainforest and would be appreciated by any high school/undergraduate library."-Library Journal
"Recommended for general reference collections at all levels."-CHOICE
"This scholarly resource is brimming with fascinating information about rainforests, specifically those in the tropics...it will make an excellent secondary resource for junior high and high school projects...the extensive reading list and resources will be very useful where rainforests are a major interest."-VOYA
..."a good choice for a general readership that combines discussion of conservation with an encyclopedia-style lookup feature for plants and animals. Because it covers rainforests across the globe, it is helpful for a library that does not have room for all the other books out there. Recommended for junior high or middle school libraries, undergraduate libraries, and public libraries."-E-STREAMS

Author Bio

DIANE JUKOFSKY is the director of the Rainforest Alliance's Conservation Media Center, which is based in San Jos, Costa Rica. She edits a bimonthly, bilingual news bulletin that features articles about conservation initiatives in Mexico and Central America. She also organizes and leads communication skills workshops for conservation groups in Latin America and the Caribbean, and environmental reporting training seminars for journalists in the region. Her articles on tropical conservation and wildlife have appeared in dozens of science, nature, travel, news, and academic publications, and she has authored chapters in two books about tropical conservation.