From semitropical coastal areas to high mountain terrain, from
swampy lowlands to modern cities, the environment holds a
fundamental importance in shaping the character of the American
South. This volume of
The New Encyclopedia of Southern
Culture surveys the dynamic environmental forces that have
shaped human culture in the region--and the ways humans have shaped
their environment. Articles examine how the South's ecology,
physiography, and climate have influenced southerners--not only as
a daily fact of life but also as a metaphor for understanding
culture and identity.
This volume includes ninety-eight essays that explore--both broadly
and specifically--elements of the southern environment. Thematic
overviews address subjects such as plants, animals, energy use and
development, and natural disasters. Shorter topical entries feature
familiar species such as the alligator, the ivory-billed
woodpecker, kudzu, and the mockingbird. Also covered are important
individuals in southern environmental history and prominent places
in the landscape, such as the South's national parks and seashores.
New articles cover contemporary issues in land use and
conservation, environmental protection, and the current status of
the flora and fauna widely associated with the South.