The Southern Appalachians are home to a breathtakingly diverse
array of living things--from delicate orchids to carnivorous
pitcher plants, from migrating butterflies to flying squirrels, and
from brawny black bears to more species of salamander than anywhere
else in the world.
Mountain Nature is a lively and engaging
account of the ecology of this remarkable region. It explores the
animals and plants of the Southern Appalachians and the webs of
interdependence that connect them.
Within the region's roughly 35 million acres, extending from north
Georgia through the Carolinas to northern Virginia, exists a mosaic
of habitats, each fostering its own unique natural community.
Stories of the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachians are
intertwined with descriptions of the seasons, giving readers a
glimpse into the interlinked rhythms of nature, from daily and
yearly cycles to long-term geological changes. Residents and
visitors to Great Smoky Mountains or Shenandoah National Parks, the
Blue Ridge Parkway, or any of the national forests or other natural
attractions within the region will welcome this appealing
introduction to its ecological wonders.