Download or read book The Natural History of Texas written by Brian R. Chapman and published by Integrative Natural History Se. This book was released on 2018-03 with total page 390 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From two veteran ecologists comes a new and sweeping exploration of the natural history of Texas in all its biological diversity and geological variation. Few states, if any, can match Texas for its myriad species, past and present, and its many distinctive landscapes, from prairie grasslands and hardwood forests to coastal lagoons and desert mountains. Beginning with the stories of how biologists and naturalists have over time defined the ecological areas of this very big state, the authors visit each of the eleven regions, including the Texas coast. They describe the dominant flora and fauna of each, explain the defining geologic features, and highlight each region's unique characteristics, such as carnivorous plants in the Piney Woods and returning black bears in the Trans-Pecos. Throughout, the authors remain especially conscious of the conservation and management issues affecting the natural resources of each region, revealing their deep affection for and knowledge about the state. Bolstered by a glossary, further reading suggestions, a description of state symbols, and an appendix of scientific names, this is an educational and essential volume for all Texans. ECOREGIONS Piney Woods Post Oak Savanna Blackland Prairies Cross Timbers and Prairies Rolling Plains Edwards Plateau High Plains Trans-Pecos South Texas Brushland Coastal Prairies Texas Gulf Coast

Download or read book Water in Texas written by Andrew Sansom and published by University of Texas Press. This book was released on 2008-08-01 with total page 335 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: No natural resource issue has greater significance for the future of Texas than water. The state's demand for water for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and recreational uses continues to grow exponentially, while the supply from rivers, lakes, aquifers, and reservoirs is limited. To help Texans manage their water resources today and plan for future needs, one of Texas's top water experts has compiled this authoritative overview of water issues in Texas. Water in Texas covers all the major themes in water management and conservation: Living with a Limited Resource The Molecule that Moves Mountains A Texas Water Journey The Gulf Shores of Texas Who's Who in Water Texas Water Law: A Blend of Two Cultures Does Texas Have Enough Water? Planning for the Future What's in Your Water? How Much is Water Worth? Water is Our Legacy Illustrated with color photographs and maps, Water in Texas will be the essential resource for landowners, citizen activists, policymakers, and city planners.

Download or read book Texas Wildflowers written by Campbell Loughmiller and published by University of Texas Press. This book was released on 2006-03-01 with total page 314 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The recently updated field guide designed to help easily identify wildflowers native to Texas. Many color photographs help make identification easy and foolproof.

Download or read book Big Wonderful Thing written by Stephen Harrigan and published by University of Texas Press. This book was released on 2019-10-01 with total page 944 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The story of Texas is the story of struggle and triumph in a land of extremes. It is a story of drought and flood, invasion and war, boom and bust, and of the myriad peoples who, over centuries of conflict, gave rise to a place that has helped shape the identity of the United States and the destiny of the world. “I couldn’t believe Texas was real,” the painter Georgia O’Keeffe remembered of her first encounter with the Lone Star State. It was, for her, “the same big wonderful thing that oceans and the highest mountains are.” Big Wonderful Thing invites us to walk in the footsteps of ancient as well as modern people along the path of Texas’s evolution. Blending action and atmosphere with impeccable research, New York Times best-selling author Stephen Harrigan brings to life with novelistic immediacy the generations of driven men and women who shaped Texas, including Spanish explorers, American filibusters, Comanche warriors, wildcatters, Tejano activists, and spellbinding artists—all of them taking their part in the creation of a place that became not just a nation, not just a state, but an indelible idea. Written in fast-paced prose, rich with personal observation and a passionate sense of place, Big Wonderful Thing calls to mind the literary spirit of Robert Hughes writing about Australia or Shelby Foote about the Civil War. Like those volumes it is a big book about a big subject, a book that dares to tell the whole glorious, gruesome, epically sprawling story of Texas.

Download or read book Land of Bears and Honey written by Joe C. Truett and published by University of Texas Press. This book was released on 2010-07-05 with total page 227 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This award-winning “gem” of a conservation classic tells the story of the land, wildlife, and ecology of East Texas (Quarterly Review of Biology). Winner of the Ottis Lock Endowment Award from the East Texas Historical Association; the Texas Literary Festival Award for Nonfiction from the Southwestern Booksellers Association & Dallas Times Herald; and the Annual Publication Award, Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society As hickory groves and fox squirrels began to vanish from the East Texas landscape in the second half of the twentieth century, two biologists who specialized in wildlife and endangered species began work on Land of Bears and Honey. Their purpose was not only to eulogize what was lost, but to encourage us to save what we still can. The result is an “elegant chronicle of the natural history of a once-rich area [that] will appeal strongly to birders, ecologists, to anyone who enjoys the outdoors” (Publishers Weekly). “This deceptively slender volume is three things: a how-to-book, an aesthetic feast and a moral tale.” —Dallas Morning News “To compare the style and content of this little book to that of the late Aldo Leopold is indeed high praise, yet the reviewer finds this comparison valid.” —Quarterly Review of Biology “In Land of Bears and Honey, East Texans have their own regional Walden, written with keen historical perspectives, literary style, and deep respect for the land.” —East Texas Historical Journal “This graceful blend of history, narrative and dialogue paints a noble portrait of one more disappearing chunk of Americana.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review

Download or read book Texas Amphibians written by Bob L. Tipton and published by University of Texas Press. This book was released on 2012-09-01 with total page 326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Offers a guide to the frogs, toads, and salamanders of Texas, including size, description, distribution area, and more for each.

Download or read book The Texas Tortoise written by Francis L. Rose and published by University of Oklahoma Press. This book was released on 2014-06-05 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Remnants of an ancient lineage, tortoises date back to the Eocene. Among the five species remaining in North America, Texas tortoises are the smallest in size and inhabit some of the harshest arid environments known. They are also the most neglected by wildlife personnel. In The Texas Tortoise, biologists Francis L. Rose and Frank W. Judd draw on decades of research to offer the first comprehensive account of this fascinating but threatened species. The authors begin by explaining the relationship of the Texas tortoise to other species, fossil as well as extant. They delineate the Texas tortoise’s environment and describe what it eats, how the animal grows and reproduces, and how it behaves. Throughout, Rose and Judd write eloquently about the threats to the species’ survival, reflecting deep concern about its future protection. The authors also discuss Texas tortoises’ significance in supporting other species in their environment—southern Texas and northeastern Mexico—where their survival is threatened by habitat reduction and increasing road traffic. “If you see a tortoise on the roadway,” Rose and Judd admonish the reader, “move it to safety, and drive away as quickly as legally allowed.” It is in fact illegal to collect or possess a Texas tortoise. But for those who do, this book advises how to care for the animal. Tortoises have enjoyed a splendid and diverse history. That they did so well for so long is perplexing, the authors note, as the animals are slow and do not actively defend themselves against predators. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lists Texas tortoises as “threatened,” and Rose and Judd call on the federal government to do the same. Biologists, conservationists, and turtle enthusiasts alike will find this guide to Texas and other tortoises invaluable.

Download or read book Geo Texas written by Eric R. Swanson and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 1995 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Geo-Texas succeeds in bringing together astronomy, geology, meteorology, oceanography, and environmental studies in a highly informative, one-of-a-kind guide to Earth sciences in the Lone Star State. Eric R. Swanson draws on the latest scientific findings in treating the natural history of Texas from the oldest known rock, through the age of the dinosaurs, to the geologic present, from the early development of Texas' water and land resources to the current crisis of environmental pollution. In examining Texas natural sciences-and the abiding connection between Texans and their physical surroundings-Geo-Texas is engagingly anecdotal and draws freely on the wry humor with which Texans have always observed and regarded their environment. Entertaining accounts of natural phenomena, such as a meteorite scoring a direct hit on a swimming pool and a Texas twister sweeping up a farmer and returning him to earth unharmed, supplement the scholarship in each chapter to show how cultural and scientific issues converge. Students and teachers of Texas Earth science will find Geo-Texas indispensable. With more than eighty illustrations and valuable appendices listing rock hound clubs, Earth science organizations, and points of interest throughout the state, Geo-Texas will also appeal to the general reader and serve as the Earth science guide for lovers of Texas and its multifaceted environment.

Download or read book The Handbook of Texas written by Walter Prescott Webb and published by . This book was released on 1952 with total page 1176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Vol. 3: A supplement, edited by Eldon Stephen Branda. Includes bibliographical references.

Download or read book Texas Aquatic Science written by Rudolph A. Rosen and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2014-11-19 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This classroom resource provides clear, concise scientific information in an understandable and enjoyable way about water and aquatic life. Spanning the hydrologic cycle from rain to watersheds, aquifers to springs, rivers to estuaries, ample illustrations promote understanding of important concepts and clarify major ideas. Aquatic science is covered comprehensively, with relevant principles of chemistry, physics, geology, geography, ecology, and biology included throughout the text. Emphasizing water sustainability and conservation, the book tells us what we can do personally to conserve for the future and presents job and volunteer opportunities in the hope that some students will pursue careers in aquatic science. Texas Aquatic Science, originally developed as part of a multi-faceted education project for middle and high school students, can also be used at the college level for non-science majors, in the home-school environment, and by anyone who educates kids about nature and water. 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 Gone to Texas written by Randolph B. Campbell and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2017-03-15 with total page 479 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State engagingly tells the story of the Lone Star State, from the arrival of humans in the Panhandle more than 10,000 years ago to the opening of the twenty-first century. Focusing on the state's successive waves of immigrants, the book offers an inclusive view of the vast array of Texans who, often in conflict with each other and always in a struggle with the land, created a history and an idea of Texas. An Instructor's Resource Manual and a set of approximately 400 PowerPoint slides to accompany Gone to Texas, Third Edition, are now available to adopters. Please contact your local Oxford University Press representative for details.

Download or read book American Tacos written by José R. Ralat and published by University of Texas Press. This book was released on 2024 with total page 305 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This new edition has been lightly updated throughout, but also includes an entirely new chapter on changes that the pandemic brought to the taco landscape"--

Download or read book The Mammals of Texas written by David J. Schmidly and published by University of Texas Press. This book was released on 2016-08-09 with total page 737 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From reviews of previous editions: “This is the standard reference about Texas mammals.” —Wildlife Activist “A must for anyone seriously interested in the wildlife of Texas.” —Texas Outdoor Writers Association News “[This book] easily fills the role of both a field guide and a desk reference, and is written in a style that appeals to the professional biologist and amateur naturalist alike. . . . [It] should prove useful to anyone with an interest in the mammal fauna of Texas or the southern Great Plains.” —Prairie Naturalist The Mammals of Texas has been the standard reference since the first edition was coauthored by William B. Davis and Walter P. Taylor in 1947. Revised several times over the succeeding decades, it remains the most authoritative source of information on the mammalian wildlife of Texas, with physical descriptions and life histories for 202 species, abundant photographs and drawings, and distribution maps. In this new edition, David J. Schmidly is joined by one of the most active researchers on Texas mammals, Robert D. Bradley, to provide a thorough update of the taxonomy, distribution, and natural history of all species of wild mammals that inhabit Texas today. Using the most recent advances in molecular biology and in wildlife ecology and management, the authors include the most current information about the scientific nomenclature, taxonomy, and identification of species, while also covering significant advances in natural history and conservation.

Download or read book Texas Waterfowl written by William P. Johnson and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2013-01-15 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 Natural History written by David J. Schmidly and published by Texas Tech University Press. This book was released on 2002 with total page 580 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Natural history - Texas, table of contents, index.

Download or read book Building an Ark for Texas written by Walt Davis and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2016-09-16 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recounted through the eyes of a major participant, this book tells the story of the Dallas Museum of Natural History from its beginning in 1922 as a collection of specimens celebrating the plants and animals of Texas to its metamorphosis in 2012 as the gleaming Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The life of this museum was indelibly influenced by a colorful staff of scientists, administrators, and teachers, including a German taxidermist, a South American explorer, and a Milwaukee artist, each with a compelling personal investment in this museum and its mission. From the days when meticulously and skillfully prepared dioramas were the hallmark of natural history museums to the era of blockbuster exhibits and interactive education, Walt Davis traces the changing expectations of and demands on museums, both public and private, through an engaging, personal look back at the creation and development of one exceptional institution, whose building and original exhibits are now protected as historical landmarks at Fair Park in Dallas.

Download or read book Damselflies of Texas written by John C. Abbott and published by University of Texas Press. This book was released on 2011-05-01 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Damselflies of Texas is the first field guide dedicated specifically to the species found in Texas. It covers 77 of the 138 species of damselflies known in North America, making it a very useful guide for the entire United States.