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California Desert Plants paperback and eBook

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 2 customer ratings
(2 customer reviews)

$44.95

This is the book and eBook bundle. EBook is available immediately after purchase.

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Category: Book + eBook bundle Tags: Botany, California, Desert
  • Description
  • Additional information
  • Reviews (2)

Description

About California Desert Plants

The desert areas of California include the northwestern portion of the Sonoran Desert, the largest part of the Mojave Desert, and the western margin of the Great Basin. A key ecological feature of the remarkable California desert region is winter-rainfall coupled with dry summers. This rainfall regime, a gradient of temperatures from low- to high-elevations, and a complex array of geologic substrates has produced highly specialized habitats for plant survival. California Desert Plants explores these vast and intimate desert landscapes through their diverse, colorful, and dynamic flora.

The book includes:

  • Over 400 color photographs of plants and landscapes
  • Descriptions and photos of dominant plant species
  • Overview of plant adaptations to desert environments
  • Discussion of major desert habitats

Table of contents:

  • Chapter 1 – Desert Environments
  • Chapter 2 – California Deserts
  • Chapter 3 – Ecological Strategies of Desert Plants
  • Chapter 4 – Creosote Bush Scrub and Joshua Tree Woodlands
  • Chapter 5 – Cactus and Succulent Scrub
  • Chapter 6 – Wash Woodlands and Arroyos
  • Chapter 7 – Desert Wetlands: Palm Oases, Riparian Woodlands, and Marshes
  • Chapter 8 – Saline Habitats: Playas, Saltbush Scrub, and Alkali Sinks
  • Chapter 9 – Sand Dunes
  • Chapter 10 – The Flowering Desert
  • Chapter 11 – Great Basin Shrublands and Woodlands
  • Chapter 12 – Conserving the California Desert

Authors: Michael Kauffmann, Philip W. Rundel and Robert J. Gustafson

With photos by:
Matt Berger (@sheriff_woody_pct), Robert Gustafson, Stan Shebs, Jim Morefield, Michael Kauffmann, Julie Evens, Morgan Stickrod, Joey Santore, Dylan Neubauer, Robert Childs, Mark Bailey, Kjirsten Wayman, James Andre, Naomi Fraga, Moe Donnelly, Jim Bartel, Mike Splain, Ryan Henson, Chris Clarke, Jon Rebman, Tim Messick, Duncan Bell, Jesse Miller, David Greenberger, Karen Orso, Scott Harding, Allison Poklemba, and Phil Rundel.

BOOK REVIEWS

“Another gem from Backcountry Press. Those mesmerized by California’s desert biomes will fall happily and deeply into California Desert Plants. An instantly indispensable field guide, this book reveals not only the photosynthesizers but the geology, hydrology, and atmospheric spheres that help co-create the landscape. This is a trip through beauty and time.”
– Mary Ellen Hannibal, author of Citizen Scientist:  Searching for Heroes and Hope in an Age of Extinction.

“I am marveling at California Desert Plants! This book is packed with incredible information and beautiful images—from the ecosystem level to individual species. It will be cherished and enjoyed by both the seasoned ecologist and the budding botanist. A must have for any desert lover.”
– Naomi Fraga, Director of Conservation Programs, CA Botanic Garden

“Finally a book that summarizes all the botanical natural history of the deserts of California by combining ecology, taxonomy, and identification. Read it as you wander through California’s deserts and these places will never appear the same again.”
– Jenn Yost, Botany Professor, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

“California Desert Plants, Ecology and Diversity is a rich, nuanced, and accessible exploration plant relationships and adaptations. This book gives the context in which plants make sense, and helps us to see relationships between species, across families, and in response to place. The text is clear and filled with fascinating information put in a context that helps you understand desert systems. Thoughtful illustrations, photographs, diagrams and maps clearly support and enhance the lessons. This book will help you build a deeper sense of place and an understanding and appreciation that promotes stewardship and care for desert landscapes.
– John Muir Laws, nature journaling innovator and author of The Laws Guide to the Sierra Nevada

Learn more about the book.

Additional information

Weight 14 oz
Dimensions 11 × 8.5 × .1 in

2 reviews for California Desert Plants paperback and eBook

  1. Rated 5 out of 5

    Linda Terrill – March 9, 2022

    I can tell before seeing it that it’s awesome, because …. Backcountry Press.

  2. Rated 5 out of 5

    Sherman::: (verified owner) – May 23, 2022

    I have spent most of my life exploring the Mojave Desert and the indigenous peoples that lived there. This book has opened up an entirely new and fascinating part of this unique place.
    The way the book is laid out by plant communities is much better than most plant guide books that alphabetically list plants losing the important interconnection that is involved in plant communities. I am certain that this book will be the go-to reference for any adventure into the desert wilderness of California.

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🎉 New Book Day! 🎉 Our first bilingual book c 🎉 New Book Day! 🎉 Our first bilingual book created in partnership with @first5california Humboldt!

And for the extra amazing bit: First 5 Humboldt will be handing these out FOR FREE to families at their playgroups and library events. Three cheers for accessibility!

Humboldt folks will be able to pick this up at their favorite local bookstore over the next few days.

And our pre-sale is up at our L I N K for a few more days: your paperback comes with a free eBook!

#hikinghumboldt

#takeahike #humboldt #humboldtcounty #goplayoutside #naturehike #hikingwithkids @sequoiaparkzoo @cityofarcata @cityofeureka @cityoffortuna @benselman

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Journey to the spectacular tide pools of the Lost Journey to the spectacular tide pools of the Lost Coast of Northern California!

>> Only 4 spots left! <<

You’ll bring the intertidal “seaweed blur” into focus by learning to identify and ethically harvest the bountiful sea vegetables that grow along their rocky shores: Nori, Kombu, Wakame, Sea lettuce, Bladderwrack, Sea cabbage, and many more. 

We'll camp along the gorgeous & serene Mattole River and create a dinner feast (including dessert!) with our foraged sea vegetables.

Campground class time includes hands on lessons on how to use common seaweeds for food, medicine, first aid, self care, and fun!

Class meets: 6pm Friday May 19 to noon on Sunday May 21 in Petrolia, CA for one of the best low tides of the year (a -1.4' at 6:40am Saturday)

$300 Tuition includes camping, product samples, and several meals

Find all the details and save your spot at our L I N K

#seaweed #seavegetables #lostcoast #wildfoods #humboldt #humboldtcounty

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Banana Slug party in the redwood forest today!
🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌

🎤 Sing it with me now…

You know I love my baby (love my baby)
I love the way that she hugs (way that she hugs)
Some people don’t understand it (don’t understand it)
She’s a banana slug (banana slug)

BA-NA-NA SLUG!

He’s got just one foot
He ain’t got no toes
He hangs out in the forest
And helps it decompose.

#bananaslug #redwoodforest #humboldtcounty
Southern Oregon friends: we're coming to see you! Southern Oregon friends: we're coming to see you!

The Siskiyou Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon is sponsoring a FREE presentation (in person and via Zoom) with @michael.kauffmann on the Plant Communities of the Klamath Mountains.

Thurs., April 20, 7pm PT
Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point, OR

Tap our L I N K to register fo the Zoom

The Klamath Mountains contain some of the most exceptional temperate plant communities in the world. Within its geographic boundaries, over 3,500 taxa (species, subspecies, and varieties) of vascular plants occur, including 35 conifer species and 20 species of oak.

Michael will provide an overview of the Klamath Mountains, highlighting the plant communities across the region, and share photos of the rare and unusual plants that call the Klamath Mountains home.

Michael Kauffmann is an educator, author, publisher, and ecologist in Humboldt County who loves the Klamath Mountains and their native flora and fauna, including his favorite group of plants—conifers! He is the co-editor of a new book entitled The Klamath Mountains: A Natural History. 

#southernoregon #nativeplants #klamathmountains #oregonnativeplants #sou #osu #ecology #botany #medford #ashland #jacksonvilleoregon #exploregon

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We’re so pleased to announce our new book create We’re so pleased to announce our new book created in partnership with @first5california Humboldt!

🙌 en Español y Ingles 🙌

“Hiking Humboldt KIDS” by Rees Hughes

(and many book parents including Jennifer Gonzales, @benselman, @michael.kauffmann, @earth2allison, and talented local photographers)

Built for use with kids, this book will inspire family adventures with authentic experiences in nature that develop wonder in children and adults alike.

Research shows us that these shared experiences in early childhood have valuable and long-lasting positive effects on our health and wellbeing.

25 Hikes are grouped into four geographic regions of Humboldt County, CA. Each hike includes:

✅ Descriptions, driving and walking directions, and a custom map

✅ An activity for kids that highlights various flora, fauna, historical, or cultural aspects related to the hike

📗Paperbacks are coming to you in hand in early May! Preorder and eBooks are available now at our L I N K — and the eBook is FREE with your paperback preorder!

#hikinghumboldt #hikingwithkids #familyhike #goplayoutside #humboldt #humboldtcounty #redwoods #redwoodforest #takeahike #optoutside 

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