Wildlife and Man in Texas: Environmental Change and Conservation

By Robin W. Doughty

What man touches, he changes, and for better or worse man has touched Texas. Through settlement, development, and urbanization, he has permanently altered the character, variety, numbers, and distribution of native wildlife. Robin Doughty's compelling history traces the nature and tempo of these changes. He discusses the use and conservation of wild animals in Texas, addressing concerns of historical ecology, environmental history, and cultural geography. As a side effect of urbanization, man has simplified the natural biological complexity of the state's fauna, and today, Doughty argues, habitat change is the most pressing issue confronting conservationists.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0890964165
• ISBN13: 9780890964163
• Release Date: June 1989
• Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Wildlife in Texas - a losing battle?

From the cover: Doughty uses letters, journals, and travel accounts to show the early attitudes toward the uses of indigenous birds and mammals of Texas. Surviving on nature's bounty and remorselessly exterminating her threats - wolves, cougars, and other wily critters - settlers exploited Texas' pristine fecundity. Some species benefited from disturbed environments - others were unable to adjust to human presence and disappeared. By the 1880s concern about the diminishing numbers of many preferred species led to enactment of game laws and other efforts to protect and manage wildlife. Today, Doughty argues, habitat change is the most pressing issue confronting conservationists.