Today's Red Pepper Book News - New Book Releases in Biology, Conservation and Building a Greener Earth

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"I'm not an environmentalist. I'm an Earth warrior." ~Darryl Cherney, quoted in Smithsonian, April 1990.

This month RED PEPPER goes GREEN by providing a book for whatever kind of earth warrior you are. If you don't know the difference between a Dove and a Loerie, then Bird Calls for Beginners is definitely for you. Then identify these birds in their natural habitats with Beat about the Bush: Birds and even what trees they are in with the latest of the Sappi Guides: Sappi Tree Spotting Cape - from Coast to Kalahari.

If you're going to be visiting the Kruger, then make sure you pack Find it: Your Guide to Kruger and the latest Roberts Bird Guide: Kruger National Park and Adjacent Lowveld BEFORE you pack the mosquito repellent (you can always use the book to swot them away if you have to!)

If you are a serious conservationist, then you cannot be without the third edition of Fundamentals in Conservation Biology or the very comprehensive Tropical Conservation Biology.

If your idea of communing with nature is sitting reading on the couch then Southern African Landscapes is for you: it's a visual feast of fauna and flora set against magnificent backdrops. Update yourself on the latest in earth issues with the Big Earth Book or the incredibly insightful Hot, flat and crowded or immerse yourself in Dave Varty's autobiography The Full Circle. A highly recommended read for the entire family is the forthcoming Animal Migrations - which tells the fascinating stories of migration across land, earth and sea. We even have a Green Website Guide which lists over 500 of the best of green sites on the web.

So whether you are planning to Ban the Plastic Bag or in search of evolution in Into the Jungle - make sure you go GREEN!

Sappi Tree Spotting Cape

Sappi Tree Spotting Cape: From Coast to Kalahari

Authors: Val Thomas, Rina Grant, Eugene Moll

What the publisher says:

There are dozens of books that focus on specific areas of the Cape, or on specific types of plants that occur there. None of the simpler publications for the general public have tackled the integration of vegetation regions and the distribution of woody plants of this diverse area. Sappi Tree Spotting Cape successfully explores the wonder of trees and shrubs from the rocky dry Richtersveld in the west, through the Kalahari sands and the spiky survivors of the arid Karoo. It includes the Proteas and the towering giants of the forests of the south.

The series, and now this last book, can make a difference on so many levels:

They keep the terminology simple.
They show you the right place to look for the right tree.
They ID the striking features. These trees do not need a complex system of "keying" because they are instantly recognisable.
The other four books are Sappi Tree Spotting Lowveld, Bushveld, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape and Highveld.

Fundamentals of Conservation Biology (Third Edition)

Fundamentals of Conservation Biology (Third Edition)

Authors: Malcolm Hunter (University of Maine) and James Gibbs (State University of New York)

What the publisher says:

In the new edition of this highly successful book, Malcolm Hunter and new co-author James Gibbs offer a thorough introduction to the fascinating and important field of conservation biology, focusing on what can be done to maintain biodiversity through management of ecosystems and populations.

Starting with a succinct look at conservation and biodiversity, this book progresses to contend with some of the subject's most complex topics, such as mass extinctions, ecosystem degradation, and over exploitation.
Discusses social, political, and economic aspects of conservation biology. Thoroughly revised with over six hundred new references and web links to many of the organizations involved in conservation biology, striking photographs and maps.

About the Authors:

Malcolm Hunter is the Libra Professor of Conservation Biology and Professor of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Maine, Orono. He is also the former President of the Society for Conservation Biology.
James Gibbs is Associate Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology at the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Tropical Conservation Biology

Authors: Navjot Sodhi (National University of Singapore), Barry Brook (University of Adelaide) and Corey Bradshaw (University of Adelaide)

What the publisher says:

Nowhere in the world is biodiversity conservation and management more critical than in the highly biodiverse tropical regions. This introductory textbook examines diminishing terrestrial and aquatic habitats in the tropics.

Includes case studies and interviews with prominent conservation scientists to help situate key concepts in a real world context.
Covers a broad range of topics including: the fate of the coral reefs; the impact of
agriculture, urbanization, and logging on habitat depletion; and the effects of fire on plants and animal survival.
Highlights conservation successes in the region, and emphasizes the need to integrate social issues, such as human hunger, into a tangible conservation plan.
Documents the current state of the field as it looks for ways to predict future outcomes and lessen human impact.
Also includes short biographies of some eminent conservation scientists.

About the authors:

Navjot S. Sodhi is Professor at the National University of Singapore. An associate/subject editor of Conservation Biology, the Auk, and Biotropica, Navjot received his PhD from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. A recipient of National Geographic Society grants, he has also spent time as a Bullard Fellow at Harvard University, where he holds an adjunct associate position.
Barry W. Brook is Professor and Director of the Research Institute for Climate Change and Sustainability at the University of Adelaide, Australia. His research interests include climate change, global ecology and extinction dynamics. Barry serves on the editorial boards of Ecological Research and Raffles Bulletin of Zoology and is a member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts and F1000 Biology. In 2006 he was awarded the Fenner Medal by the Australian Academy of Sciences.
Corey J. A. Bradshaw is Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow at Charles Darwin University, Australia. He earned a doctoral degree from the University of Otago, New Zealand and has extensively researched marine and terrestrial vertebrate populations, with an emphasis on extinction modelling and ecological theory. Corey is an Associate Editor for Journal of Animal Ecology.

Click here to order now.

Beat about the Bush: Birds

Author: Trevor Carnaby

What the publisher says:

The Beat about the Bush series answers all those everyday questions that are prompted by visits to the bush. It fills the gap in exisiting literature and field guides alike, complemented by more than 900 full-colour photographs. Although details are given on bird identification and all the bird groups of southern Africa are covered in a very informative 'Did you know' section, this work can more appropriately be described as a behavioural guide. It delves into the fascinating lives of birds - discussing in detail thier myriad forms, survival strategies, breeding and feeding behaviours, movements, migration's and vocalisations.

The result is a comprehensive reference work in a style that appeals to novices, birders, twitchers, tourists, bush enthusiast and field guides alike.

ISBN 13: 9781770092419 | FORMAT: PAPERBACK | PUBLICATION DATE:OCT 2008 | PUBLISHER: JACANA MEDIA | DELIVERY TIME: 1-2 WEEKS | PRICE: R395.00 (incl.)

Click here to order now.

Find it: Your Guide to Kruger

What the publisher says:

Find it, a beautifully illustrated publication identifies all the most common trees, grasses, mammals, birds, reptiles and insects in Kruger. A detailed history section opens the door to Kruger's past; the geology highlights the ecosystem and some of earth's oldest rocks. This eco guide will help you to know where to look for a species - and to ultimately "find it". Visitors to Kruger will find this book a must. Now also translated into Afrikaans and German.

Bird Calls for Beginners

Author: Doug Newman

What the publisher says:

How many of the more common birds of southern African can you identify from their calls? Birdsong is everywhere, whether we live in the city or in the country. Without the musical backdrop of our feathered friends, our gardens, parks and fields would be relatively silent - and much the poorer for it. Often we hear their calls, but cannot see the birds making them. The enclosed CD features 60 common bird calls. The title features full-colour photographs of the birds, distribution maps and interesting text about their habits, feeding and nesting routines, and their calls.

Into the Jungle: Great Adventures in the Search of Evolution

Author: Neil A. Campbell; Jane B. Reece; Sean B. Carroll

What the publisher says:

Just published and out in time for -and to celebrate - the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication ofThe Origin of Species, Sean B. Carroll'sInto the Jungle: Great Adventures in the Search for Evolution brings the science of evolution to biology students at any level, regardless of their college major or career path. Each of the nine stories in this brief reader chronicles the dramatic adventures of an influential zoologist, geologist, paleontologist, or geneticist on their path to some of the most important discoveries that have shaped our understanding of how life has evolved.

Robert Bird Guide: Kruger National Park and Adjacent Lowveld

Roberts Bird Guide: Kruger National Park and Adjacent Lowveld

Author: Ian Whyte, Hugh Chittenden

What the publisher says:

This guide features dynamic new multi-coloured distribution maps and calendar bars showing full and peak breeding seasons for birds of the north-eastern regions of southern Africa.

This guide features dynamic new multi-coloured distribution maps and calendar bars showing full and peak breeding seasons for birds of the north-eastern regions of southern Africa. Additionally this guide gives you information on bird food, behavior, breeding strategies and, in some cases, their estimated population status in the Park. It contains 91 annotated plates illustrated by 7 of southern Africa's finest bird artist; colloquial names in 9 other languages; detailed etymology section. Whether expert or beginner in the field of birding, this invaluable guide is sure to maximize your experience in Kruger.

Southern African Landscapes

Southern African Landscapes

Author: David Rogers

What the publisher says:

Southern African Landscapes presents a collection of photographic gems from across the subcontinent. Spectacular vistas, dramatic scenes, delicate details, aerial views and close encounters make up this feast of colour and memory. This compact, handy-format book offers:

Some 150 stunning photographs portraying landscapes, flora and fauna.
Many details showcasing particular features, such as flowers, birds, mammals and snakes.
Introductory text to each of the ten geographic areas, setting the scene for the images.
Award-winning photography. This collection of colourful, evocative images is a superb memento of Southern Africa's extraordinary beauty and diversity.

About the author/photographer:

David Rogers is an award-winning freelance photographer and writer who has traveled for many years, photographing and writing about Southern Africa's landscapes, plants, animals and people. As assistant editor of Getaway magazine he produced more than 100 features, and he has also written and photographed several books, including Zambia Landscapes, Etosha National Park, Sea Kayaking in South Africa, Safari in Style and Living Landscapes.

Animal Migration: Remarkable Journeys by Air, Land and Sea

Author: Ben Hoare

What the publisher says:

This spectacular guide explores the mysteries of animal migration over land, through oceans and by air.

Lavishly illustrated with more than 300 colour photographs, maps, and illustrations, "Animal Migration" covers every continent as it traces the routes of 50 remarkable migrations - including those of polar bears, wildebeest, hummingbirds, iguanas, sharks and many others. There is an illustrated introduction that explains how migration works and why animals migrate, either as part of mass migrations or on individual journeys. It also describes the navigation, reproduction and feeding strategies of these animals, as well as discussing the growing threats facing migratory wildlife today.

The three sections that follow look in detail at the most extraordinary voyages animals take across land, oceans and by air. Profile boxes give fast facts on each species; informative maps draw on the latest research to show migration routes in different seasons; and, special features focus on topics of particular interest.

With a supplementary catalogue of the world's greatest places to observe migration, this beautiful and authoritative book will appeal to all wildlife enthusiasts.

About the author:

Ben Hoare is an author and editor who specialises in natural history, especially ornithology. He has contributed to many books and encyclopedias, including several bestselling reference titles for Dorling Kindersley, and has written 12 books for children. His work has also appeared in BBC Wildlife and Birdwatch magazines and on BBC mwebsites.A keen amateur naturalist, Ben has travelled to every continent in search of wildlife adventures and recently achieved his dream of seeing the world's largest and smallest birds. He has an MA from Cambridge University and is a Fellow of the Zoological Society of London.Paperback

ISBN 13: 9780565092436 | FORMAT: HARDBACK | PUBLICATION DATE: MARCH 2009 | PUBLISHER: THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM | DELIVERY TIME: IN PRINT | PRICE: R336.00 (incl.)

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The Full Circle