Download or read book Tamu Nature Guides written by Elizabeth Cary Mungall and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2007 with total page 314 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Exotic animals range in appearance from truly striking to seemingly ordinary, and they live in wildlife preserves, on farms, in parks, and even in the wilderness across the United States. In this book, Elizabeth Cary Mungall provides ample information for anyone, from park visitor and zoo goer to rancher and wildlife biologist, who wants to identify and learn more about exotic wildlife in the United States. Richard D. Estes, author of The Safari Companion, says that "for everyone interested in exotic hoofed stock, Exotic Animal Field Guide is a well-written and beautifully illustrated book that fills a vacant niche." Indeed, the main portion of the book contains fully illustrated species accounts of eighty different kinds of hoofed animals, with native range maps and information about food habits, habitat, temperament, breeding and birth seasons, and fencing needs. A list of exotics-related organizations and a reference section round out the text. Photographs of each species make the book both attractive and useful as a field tool. In a chapter on photographing exotics, Christian Mungall shows readers how to take their own great pictures of these animals. Clearly, as James G. Teer, of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University states, this is "much more than a field guide. Elizabeth Cary Mungall's book is a long awaited repository and data source on the ecology, technology, and management of more than 80 species of non-native hoofed animals. . . . Anyone with exotics on his or her property will require Exotic Animal Field Guide."
Download or read book Field Guide to Common Texas Grasses written by Stephan L. Hatch and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2016-02-25 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Covering 172 species of the most significant common grasses growing in Texas, this complete update of the now-classic Common Texas Grasses: An Illustrated Guide contains range maps and color images of the inflorescences and spikelets of each species along with the detailed, black-and-white illustrations found in the original volume. Identifying descriptive text, keys to genera and species, a checklist, and a glossary round out this standard field reference for botanists, students, and naturalists.
Download or read book Parking Lot Birding written by Jennifer L. Bristol and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2020-04-21 with total page 323 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Texas boasts greater bird diversity than almost any state, with more than six hundred species living in or passing through during spring and fall migrations. Jennifer L. Bristol’s Parking Lot Birding speaks to people who would love to observe a wide variety of birds in easy access locations that don’t require arduous hikes or a degree in ornithology. As she explains, “I have personally trudged down hundreds of miles of trails in Texas, loaded down with gear, searching for birds, only to return to the parking lot to find what I was looking for.” Drawing on her experience as a former park ranger and lifelong nature enthusiast, Bristol explores ninety birding locations that are open to the public and accessible regardless of ability or mobility. Divided by geography, with each of the nine sections centered on a large urban area or defined ecoregion, Parking Lot Birding: A Fun Guide to Discovering Birds in Texas will take readers to birds in locales from the busy heart of Dallas to the remote Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge in the plains north of Lubbock. Each birding stop includes the name and address of a specific birding location, number of species that have been recorded, and types of birding amenities offered. Locational accounts end with a “Feather Fact” that provides interesting and relevant details about selected birds in a particular region. You never know what you might see when on the beaten path, especially in a state as big and ecologically diverse as Texas. So grab your binoculars and let’s go birding!
Download or read book Plants of Deep South Texas written by Alfred Richardson and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2011-01-28 with total page 470 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Field Guide to the Woody and Flowering Species Covering the almost three million acres of southernmost Texas known as the Lower Rio Grande Valley, this user-friendly guide is an essential reference for nature enthusiasts, farmers and ranchers, professional botanists, and anyone interested in the plant life of Texas. Alfred Richardson and Ken King offer abundant photographs and short descriptions of more than eight hundred species of ferns, algae, and woody and herbaceous plants—two-thirds of the species that occur in this region. Plants of Deep South Texas opens with a brief introduction to the region and an illustrated guide to leaf shapes and flower parts. The book's individual species accounts cover: Leaves Flowers Fruit Blooming period Distribution Habits Common and scientific names In addition, the authors' comments include indispensible information that cannot be seen in a photograph, such as the etymology of the scientific name, the plant's use by caterpillars and its value from the human perspective. The authors also provide a glossary of terms, as well as an appendix of butterfly and moth species mentioned in the text.
Download or read book Texas Wildscapes written by Kelly Conrad Bender and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2009 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whether you have an apartment balcony or a multi-acre ranch, the Texas Wildscapes(TM) program provides the tools you need to make a home for all the animals that will thrive in the native habitat you create.
Download or read book Springer Handbook of Robotics written by Bruno Siciliano and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-07-27 with total page 2259 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The second edition of this handbook provides a state-of-the-art overview on the various aspects in the rapidly developing field of robotics. Reaching for the human frontier, robotics is vigorously engaged in the growing challenges of new emerging domains. Interacting, exploring, and working with humans, the new generation of robots will increasingly touch people and their lives. The credible prospect of practical robots among humans is the result of the scientific endeavour of a half a century of robotic developments that established robotics as a modern scientific discipline. The ongoing vibrant expansion and strong growth of the field during the last decade has fueled this second edition of the Springer Handbook of Robotics. The first edition of the handbook soon became a landmark in robotics publishing and won the American Association of Publishers PROSE Award for Excellence in Physical Sciences & Mathematics as well as the organization’s Award for Engineering & Technology. The second edition of the handbook, edited by two internationally renowned scientists with the support of an outstanding team of seven part editors and more than 200 authors, continues to be an authoritative reference for robotics researchers, newcomers to the field, and scholars from related disciplines. The contents have been restructured to achieve four main objectives: the enlargement of foundational topics for robotics, the enlightenment of design of various types of robotic systems, the extension of the treatment on robots moving in the environment, and the enrichment of advanced robotics applications. Further to an extensive update, fifteen new chapters have been introduced on emerging topics, and a new generation of authors have joined the handbook’s team. A novel addition to the second edition is a comprehensive collection of multimedia references to more than 700 videos, which bring valuable insight into the contents. The videos can be viewed directly augmented into the text with a smartphone or tablet using a unique and specially designed app. Springer Handbook of Robotics Multimedia Extension Portal: http://handbookofrobotics.org/
Download or read book Common Rangeland Plants of West Central Texas written by George Clendenin and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2016-10-28 with total page 604 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Well-managed ranch lands or rangeland in Texas capture the rain that permeates our soils, sustains creeks and rivers, and replenishes aquifers, which, in turn, water our cities. The stewardship of the region is the focus of this book—the largest contributing watershed in the Colorado River Basin—viewed through the lens of its plant communities. This field guide and management reference to four million acres of rangeland in the Concho River watershed of west central Texas offers general descriptions of more than 200 plant species, including information about the plant’s growing period, growth form, livestock and wildlife value, and special management issues. Accompanying photographs give the reader an idea of not only what the plant looks like on the range but also which identifiable features, such as flowers, fruit, or leaf shape, are most important to that particular plant. In addition, several experts cover the use of fire and the management of deer, turkey, dove, and other wildlife in this region. A discussion of noxious, invasive, and toxic plants; historical accounts of the region; four useful appendixes; a glossary; and a plant list complete the impressive content of this comprehensive volume.
Download or read book Wild Focus written by Earl Nottingham and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2022-01-18 with total page 305 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Wild Focus, Earl Nottingham, chief photographer for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and its magazine, provides a unique perspective on Texas featuring images of the woods, waters, and wildlife of the Lone Star landscape. Nottingham’s engaging photography—landscape, nature, and wildlife; environmental portraiture of people; photojournalistic coverage of events, including natural disasters—provides a cohesive overview of biodiversity and the state of conservation in Texas. The nearly 200 stunning photographs collected here encompass the expansive mission of TPWD, presenting traditional landscape images from state and national parks as well as from vast private lands. Cultural and historic sites are included along with environmental portraits of the people associated with those sites. From the state’s wildlife, both great and small, to nature shown in not only its beauty but also its fury—wildfires, hurricanes, and floods—Earl Nottingham offers a visual compendium of events, people, places, and things that have shaped the face of natural Texas. The author logged untold miles and wore through many sets of tires to offer timely stories that would “inform, educate, entertain, and empower” readers about the outdoors. These images that capture the richness and diversity of wild Texas inspire a greater appreciation for the state’s beauty and promote a sense of stewardship for its natural treasures.
Download or read book Trees Shrubs and Vines of the Texas Hill Country written by Jan Wrede and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2010-01-18 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If you imagine the Texas Hill Country solely as dry limestone slopes of cedar and scrub oak, prepare to have your eyes opened. The Edwards Plateau, upon which the Hill Country sits, is also a land of lush cypress-lined streams, diverse thickets, and shady hardwood bottomlands. Edged by canyonlands and intersected by creeks, these rocky hills support an abundance of trees, shrubs, and vines that provide food and cover for wildlife and create a distinct and durable landscape. In this book, Jan Wrede has compiled a field guide to more than 125 species of mostly native, mostly woody plants of the Texas Hill Country. A thoughtful introduction discusses deer, cedar, water, oak wilt, and invasive species—timely issues of increasing importance for a growing number of Texas landowners. Plant descriptions contain information about the leaves, flowers, fruit, and bark of each plant and also give insights into the species’ range and habits. A color photograph accompanies each account. Especially useful is a comprehensive plant chart with tips about color, scent, flowering period, height, site preference, and wildlife and livestock utilization. A recommended reading list, a resource guide, and a glossary round out this information-packed book.
Download or read book Guide to Texas Grasses written by Robert B. Shaw and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2012-06-21 with total page 1098 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this new, complete Guide to Texas Grasses, Robert B. Shaw and the team at the Texas A&M University Institute of Renewable Natural Resources provide an indispensable reference to the world’s most economically important plant family. After discussing the impact of grass on our everyday lives as food, biofuels, land restoration, erosion control, and water become ever more urgent issues worldwide—the book then provides:a description of the structure of the grass plant;details of the classification and distribution of Texas grasses;brief species accounts;distributional maps;color photographs;plus black-and-white drawings of 670 grass species—native, introduced, and ornamental. Scientific keys help identify the grasses to group, genera, and species, and an alphabetized checklist includes information on: origin (native or introduced); longevity (annual or perennial);growth season (cool or warm season); endangered status;and occurrence (by ecological zone). A glossary, literature citations, and a quick index to genera round out the book. Guide to Texas Grasses is a comprehensive treatment of Texas grasses meant to assist students, botanists, ecologists, agronomists, range scientists, naturalists, researchers, extension agents, and others who work with or are interested in these important plants.
Download or read book The Bats of Texas written by David J. Schmidly and published by . This book was released on 1991 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Texas, home to the world's largest remaining bat cave, Bracken Cave, has the most diverse bat fauna of any state.
Download or read book The Wild Lives of Reptiles and Amphibians written by Michael Smith and published by Kathie and Ed Cox Jr. Books on. This book was released on 2020 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This introductory guide offers an educational and inspirational starting point to discovering reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitats by introducing readers to the exciting native species they can encounter on a family nature trip or a walk through the local park"--
Download or read book Texas Waterfowl written by William P. Johnson and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2013-01-18 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this beautifully illustrated guide, two practicing wildlife biologists describe the life histories of forty-five species of ducks, geese, and swans that occur in Texas. For common species and those that breed in the state, each account begins with an interesting fact (such as, “Red-breasted Mergansers have been clocked at over 80 mph, the fastest recorded flight speed for a duck . . .”) and provides information on Texas distribution and harvest, population status, diet, range and habitats, reproduction, and appearance. Exquisite photographs, informative distribution maps, and a helpful source list accompany the species descriptions, and the book offers a glossary and full bibliography for those who want to explore the literature further. With the degradation and disappearance of the inland and coastal habitats that these birds depend upon, the natural history of these waterfowl species provides a vital reminder of the interconnectedness and crucial importance of all wetlands. Birders, biologists, landowners, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and all those interested in the health and preservation of our coastal and inland wetland resources will enjoy and learn from this book.
Download or read book Texas Master Naturalist Statewide Curriculum written by Michelle M. Haggerty and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2019-04-23 with total page 781 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For fifteen years, the Texas Master Naturalist program has been hugely successful, training more than 9,600 volunteers who have given almost 2.8 million hours to nature education. This dedicated corps of naturalists provides teaching, outreach, and service in their communities, promoting the appreciation and stewardship of natural resources and natural areas around the state. Hundreds of new volunteers are trained every year, and the Texas Master Naturalist Statewide Curriculum serves as the basis of instruction for trainees who complete a certification course taught under the auspices of more than forty program chapters. The curriculum contains twenty-four units of instruction that range from geology to ornithology to wetland ecology—all written by the state’s top scientists and experts. Available as well to educators, interpreters, and others who may not yet be able to commit to the Texas Master Naturalist program, the curriculum offers an authoritative source of information for anyone seeking to learn more about the natural world in Texas.
Download or read book Freshwater Fishes of Texas written by Chad Thomas and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2007-06-18 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Containing habitat information, physical descriptions, photographs, and range maps for more than 150 species of freshwater fishes that can be found in Texas, this field guide is an indispensable reference and research tool for ichthyologists, professional fisheries biologists, amateur naturalists, and anglers alike. The introductory section offers an illustrated guide to the common counts and measurements used for fish identification; a brief explanation of fish phylogeny; and a scientific key to help identify the fish families in Texas. The book includes species accounts of native and introduced fishes found in the freshwaters of Texas. Each account covers the physical characteristics, habitat, and distribution of the fish, with additional comments of interest or importance to its life history and conservation status. With the largest collection to date of color photographs, including various color phases (breeding and non-breeding colors), the book also includes range maps within the species accounts. The closing pages of the book feature a glossary and reference section. In a time when the state’s water resources are beset by issues growing in both number and complexity, this book provides information for professionals and policy makers. It also contributes to the natural history education of the public. To learn more about The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, sponsors of this book's series, please click here.
Download or read book Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas written by James Ray Dixon and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2000 with total page 442 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: IN THIS REVISED edition of Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas, James R. Dixon adds to and updates the extensive information given in the first edition. A new section on conservation issues highlights some of the problems facing the continued survival of amphibians and reptiles, particularly commercial collecting and habitat destruction. Taxonomic changes have been made to reflect the latest scientific information, and the extensive listing of the literature on Texas amphibians and reptiles has been updated through April, 1999. Going back to the writings of French botanist Jean Louis Berlandier, who encountered Texas herpetofauna during his travels from 1828 to 1834, this list covers more than 150 years of inquiry into the state's species and is also testimony to the distinguished careers of such herpetologists as Hobart M. Smith and, more recently, Chris McAllister. Another prominent feature of this book is the more than 150 distribution maps, which show by county the updated distribution records for all native Texas amphibians and reptiles, based on more than 13,000 county records and more than 110,000 individual localities. Professional and amateur herpetologists as well as environmentalists, wildlife specialists, campers, and hikers will find the dichotomous keys useful for identifying species at hand. This aid to identification is supported by a glossary, drawings and photographs, and complete scientific and common names.
Download or read book Neches River User Guide written by Gina Donovan and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2009 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Maps of towns, roads, parks and other landmarks along nearly 360 miles of the river's course.
