United States
£ GBP
Naturalists, herpetologists, and ecologists alike agree that tracking herpetofauna is a uniquely challenging undertaking. Over the last 20 years, scientists in the state of Maryland have expressed growing concern about the potential decline of once-familiar amphibian and reptile species, but their evidence was too localized and anecdotal to support any real conclusions about the health of these populations. In order to better understand how amphibians and reptiles are distributed in the Old Line State and explain future trends in an era of accelerated climate change and environmental threats, many agreed that their best bet was to conduct a comprehensive statewide survey to update distribution maps not touched since the mid-1970s. However, this endeavour was of an impossible scope for scientists alone to tackle. Enter the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project, comprising nearly a thousand dedicated citizen scientists who discovered and recorded the locations of amphibians and reptiles throughout every corner of Maryland.
In The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas, Heather R. Cunningham and Nathan H. Nazdrowicz bring together the findings of this massive undertaking. The authors pair nearly 160 comprehensive new herpetological maps with historical distribution maps and in-depth species accounts. Numerous colour photos illustrate the 89 species of frogs, salamanders, turtles, snakes, and lizards that call the state home. Essays discuss historical contributions to herpetology in Maryland, the current environmental character of the state – focusing on the effects of Maryland's climate, geology, and habitat diversity – and the myriad conservation issues that these animals face.
This richly detailed book represents a triumph of citizen science and the culmination of an intensive research partnership. Exploring an enigmatic natural world, The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas will appeal to a broad audience of both amateurs and professionals interested in herpetology, natural history, and ecology, as well as those with a special interest in Maryland's biodiversity.
Heather R. Cunningham is an associate professor of biology at Chesapeake College. Nathan H. Nazdrowicz is an adjunct instructor of herpetology at the University of Delaware.
"This magnificently illustrated book brings together the efforts of hundreds of citizen scientists to reveal which species of reptiles and amphibians live in Maryland and where in the state they live. It is truly a quantum leap in our understanding of this magnificent wildlife and provides an invaluable baseline to plan for the protection of Maryland's unique fauna."
– Richard Shine, The University of Sydney
"Authoritatively presented and beautifully illustrated, this atlas is a comprehensive manual that explores the natural history of Maryland's amphibians and reptiles and the efforts by public agencies and individual naturalists to conserve this priceless legacy. Cunningham, Nazdrowicz, and all their contributors also offer readers a history of the naturalists who wandered the breadth of the state documenting these invaluable animals."
– Richard Franz, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida
"This is one of the best state herpetological atlases I have read. Each species has good natural history coverage, photographs, and distributional maps. Several good appendices and a thorough reference section are included. I highly recommend this book for those interested in mid-Atlantic herps."
– Carl H. Ernst, author of Turtles of the United States and Canada
"The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas is a superb blend of scientific monograph and field guide and an example of the database most needed for future ecosystem analyses and conservation practice."
– Edward O. Wilson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Ants
"This is the definitive field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Maryland. This beautiful, easy-to-use book provides color photos, range maps, and natural history information for each species. A fantastic resource for amateurs and experts of all ages!"
– Karen R. Lips, University of Maryland, College Park
"This gorgeously illustrated tome is deeply compelling especially because of the inclusion of field observations and outstanding photography of nonprofessional herpetologists. This fine volume is a joy to read, due in part – as was the case with each of my several books on herpetology – to these contributions from gifted citizen scientists."
– Alan Tennant, author of Snakes of North America
