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Lichens
Irwin M. Brodo, Sylvia Duran Sharnoff, and Stephen Sharnoff, Lichens of North AmericaThe first thing you notice about this outstanding new work is that it is massive! Even if you already knew that it covers more than 800 species (with mention of more than 700 additional species), that it contains 939 excellent color photographs of specimens in the field (not from an herbarium), that it contains distribution maps and keys for identifying “the most common, conspicuous, or ecologically significant species,” and that the publication of the volume has been subsidized by a number of donors—leading one to expect more than the relatively low price would ordinarily buy in a botany book—still, you may be astounded at the size!
Besides the identification section, which makes up most of the 795 page book, the first part of the work, entitled “About the Lichens”, would, at over 100 pages, make a book in itself. It starts with the basics on what lichens are (and are not), how they are built, their reproduction, colors, physiology and growth, chemistry, lichens and ecosystems, geographic distribution in North America, use of them by people, environmental monitoring with lichens, naming and classifying lichens, collecting and studying lichens, and use of the book to put a name on the lichens you find.
If any book is a “must have” for a North American botanist or naturalist, this is one. It fills a gap unmet by any other work, and is so visually appealing that even nature-lovers who care not one whit about the names given to lichens will enjoy leafing through this tome and marveling at the beauty of color and form in this diverse group.
Yale University Press, 2001. 795 pages, illus., about 10 inches wide x 11 inches high x 2 inches thick, hardcover.
Item #592. Publisher’s price: $110.00. Your price: $110.00 (We no longer stock this book since it is no longer available wholesale at an adequate discount. We suggest you try www.bookfinder.com to find new or used copies elsewhere.)
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