Lichens of North America
Lichens are a unique form of plant life, the product of a symbiotic association between an alga and a fungus. The beauty and importance of lichens have long been overlooked, despite their abundance and diversity in most parts of North America and elsewhere in the world. This stunning book—the first accessible and authoritative guidebook to lichens of the North American continent—fills the gap, presenting superb color photographs, descriptions, distribution maps, and keys for identifying the...
Search in google:
This volume addresses structure and behavior, reproduction, colors, physiology and growth, chemistry, habitat, ecosystems, North American distribution, human use, use as environmental monitors, and methods of identification of approximately 1,500 lichens of the 14,000 species existing worldwide. Color photographs grace nearly every page. Each species is presented categorized by groups such as fruticose, crustose, squamulose, jelly, and foliose. A glossary and suggested readings complete the volume. Brodo is emeritus research scientist at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. The Sharnoffs are veteran nature photographers. If not for the support of benefactors like the British Lichen Society and the Educational Foundation of America, this beautiful book could have sold for as much as $350. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Thomas E. Lovejoy This volume is the twenty-first-century lichen equivalent of Audubon s Birds of America.
ForewordPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPt. 1About the Lichens1Lichens: The Organism32How Lichens Are Built: Thallus Shapes and Structure93How Lichens Reproduce234Colors of Lichens345How Lichens Live: Physiology and Growth366Lichen Chemistry427Where Lichens Grow: Their Substrates458Lichens and Ecosystems549Geographic Distributions in North America6210Lichens and People7811Environmental Monitoring with Lichens8912Naming and Classifying Lichens9413Collecting and Studying Lichens9714Using This Book to Name a Lichen: Hints and Conventions111Pt. 2Guide to the LichensIdentification Keys to Genera and Major Groups117Key to Keys117Key A: Fruticose Lichens118Key B: Dwarf Fruticose Filamentous Lichens121Key C: Sterile Crustose Lichens122Key D: Crustose Perithecial Lichens and Lichens with Ascomata Resembling Perithecia124Key E: Crustose Script Lichens126Key F: Crustose Disk Lichens126Key G: Squamulose Lichens134Key H: Umbilicate and Fan-Shaped Lichens136Key I: Jelly Lichens137Key J: Yellow Foliose Lichens137Key K: Foliose Lichens That Are not Umbilicate, Jelly-Like, or Yellow139Descriptions, Illustrations, Keys to Species, and Maps145AppClassification of Lichen Fungi751Glossary755Further Reading and Bibliography765Index of Names771
\ David EhrenfeldLichens of North America is one of the great natural history books of this or any age.\ \ \ \ \ David SuzukiThere is wonder and mystery aplenty in this magnificent compilation.\ \ \ E. O. WilsonThis is a book to love. It will open a whole new world for naturalists, professional and amateur, to explore and enjoy.\ \ \ \ \ Joanne Laucius. . .[S]omething. . .never. . .done before. . .a guide to the 3,600 species of lichens. . . in North America. . .[for] nature-lovers. \ —The Ottawa Citizen\ \ \ \ \ Lynn MargulisA long-sought triumph, gorgeously illustrated, accurate, accessible, and comprehensive.\ \ \ \ \ Paula T. DePriest[A] photo-illustrated guide that should not be overlooked. . . lavish. . . Every person interested in natural history should have a copy. \ —Science\ \ \ \ \ Samuel HammerA technically splendid catalogue that will not soon be matched...[An] accessible, informative visual masterpiece. \ —American Scientist\ \ \ \ \ Thomas E. LovejoyThis volume is the twenty-first-century lichen equivalent of Audubon’s Birds of America.\ \ \ \ \ Toronto Globe & MailThis is a beautiful. . .introduction of. . .lichen in North America. . .[with] intimate, delicate colour portraits. . .a delight for people of all interests. \ —Best of the Year\ \ \ \ \ Toronto Glove & Mail[A] beautiful first-of-its-kind introduction to. . . lichen. . . [With] intimate, delicate, colour portraits. . .for people of all interests. . .\ \ \ \ \ Toronto Glove & Mail[A] beautiful first-of-its-kind introduction to. . . lichen. . . [With] intimate,delicate,colour portraits. . .for people of all interests. . .\ \ \ \ \ Wall Street JournalA fascinating journey into the Lilliputian world of [lichens]. . .a stunning guide for nature lovers.\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalLichens are a combination of a fungus and an alga but have a unique structure and appearance quite different from either. Existing worldwide and growing on a variety of surfaces, including rocks, soil, and trees, they may appear leafy, shrubby, mossy, crusty, or jellylike and are seen in a wide range of colors, from brilliant oranges, yellows, and reds to dull grays and browns. This huge new book, written by a world authority on lichens and emeritus research scientist at the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, provides information on about 1500 of the roughly 3600 recognized North American lichens. Part 1 introduces lichens in 14 clearly written chapters that discuss their biology, ecology, geography, environmental roles, and collection. Part 2, the heart of the book, is a guide that offers identification keys to groups, genera, and species and their descriptions, with accompanying photographs and North American distribution maps. The more than 900 truly beautiful, full-color photos were taken by the Sharnoffs, nature photographers whose work has been widely published in National Geographic, Smithsonian, and elsewhere. Of value to professionals and amateurs alike, this book is certain to be a classic reference for decades to come. Highly recommended for academic and research libraries and for public libraries where interest warrants; libraries needing only a brief yet informative introduction to lichens should consider William Purvis's inexpensive Lichens (Smithsonian Institution, 2000). William H. Wiese, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.\ \
