A Natural History of Cumberland Island, Georgia

About this book

Having lived on Cumberland Island for more than forty years, Carol Ruckdeschel's goal has been to document present conditions of the island's flora and fauna, establishing a baseline from which to assess future changes. Since the late 1960s, she has witnessed many changes and trends that are often overlooked by those carrying out short-term observations. This compilation of data, along with historic information, presents the most comprehensive picture of the island's flora, fauna, geology, and ecology to date. A Natural History of Cumberland Island, Georgia will satisfy a general interest in the ecology of Cumberland and other Georgia barrier islands. New information on individual species is presented, contributing to its value as a reference for the Southeast.

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Biography

Carol Ruckdeschel first visited Cumberland Island in the late 1960s as a research assistant at Georgia State University, taking up residence in the early 1970s. Sea turtles were her first focus, due to their all too obvious mortality, but her main interest was and is in the terrestrial ecology of the island. Ruckdeschel organised the stranding network (reporting dead or injured sea turtles), which was later taken over by the National Marine Fisheries Service. She has served as a researcher and observer for sea turtle nesting surveys, the Smithsonian Institution, U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Ruckdeschel is author or coauthor of numerous articles, and the book Sea Turtles of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States.