Encyclopedia of Deserts

By Michael A. Mares

Book Overview

Encyclopedia of Deserts represents a milestone: it is the first comprehensive reference to the first comprehensive reference to deserts and semideserts of the world. Approximately seven hundred entries treat subjects ranging from desert survival to the way deserts are formed. Topics include biology (birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, invertebrates, plants, bacteria, physiology, evolution), geography, climatology, geology, hydrology, anthropology, and history. The thirty-seven contributors, including volume editor Michael A. Mares, have had extensive careers in deserts research, encompassing all of the world's arid and semiarid regions. The Encyclopedia opens with a subject list by topic, an organizational guide that helps the reader grasp interrelationships and complexities in desert systems. Each entry concludes with cross-references to other entries in the volume, inviting the reader to embark on a personal expedition into fascinating, previously unknown terrain. In addition a list of important readings facilitates in-depth study of each topic. An exhaustive index permits quick access to places, topics, and taxonomic listings of all plants and animals discussed. More than one hundred photographs, drawings, and maps enhance our appreciation of the remarkable life, landforms, history, and challenges of the world's arid land.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806156082
• ISBN13: 9780806156088
• Release Date: January 2017
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
• Length: 694 Pages
• Weight: 3.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 8.5" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Deserts are Cool

This book seems to have everything there is about deserts. I learned that deserts have lions, penguins, kangaroos, many spiders, scorpions and other animals, even fish and frogs. There are also many plants, with strange things like cactus and boojum trees. Even elephants live in the desert. I think the book is like an exploring trip from one desert to the other. I wish it had more pictures but it is easy to understand and has great maps. The book helped me write a report on deserts. I got an A. I would like to visit a desert to see what it is like to live there. I never knew deserts would be so interesting. They are too cool.