The Everglades Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the River of Grass

THE EVERGLADES ENCYCLOPEDIA: The Comprehensive Guide to the River of GrassFrom the author of The Raptor Bible — the most complete reference ever written on one of North America's most extraordinary and endangered ecosystems.Stretching across 1.5 million acres of slow-moving water, ancient sawgrass prairies, mangrove coastlines, and teeming wildlife, the Florida Everglades is unlike any place on Earth. It is a world shaped by rain and drought, by the push of freshwater south toward the sea, by species found nowhere else — and by the mounting pressures threatening to unravel it all. The Everglades Encyclopedia is the definitive guide to every dimension of this irreplaceable landscape.Wildlife writer and naturalist Dean Iodice draws on years of field research and expertise to deliver a sweeping, rigorously researched, and beautifully written companion to the River of Grass. From the chemistry of peat soils and the mechanics of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, to the behavioral ecology of wading birds and the quiet catastrophe of Burmese pythons reshaping the food web — this book covers it all with depth, precision, and an accessible voice that speaks to curious readers of every background.Inside you'll find:A complete introduction to the Everglades' wetlands, rivers, lakes, coastal zones, and unique soil typesIn-depth chapters on the region's full spectrum of life: flora, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic speciesA thorough examination of the threats facing the ecosystem — pollution, sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion, urban expansion, and climate-driven shifts in weather patternsDedicated chapters on Florida's invasive species and their cascading impact on native wildlifeAn honest, hopeful look at the future of the Everglades and the restoration efforts racing against time14 comprehensive chapters spanning more than 730 pagesPerfect for: Birders, wildlife photographers, students of ecology and environmental science, Florida naturalists, conservationists, armchair adventurers, and anyone who has ever stood at the edge of the Everglades and felt its pull.The Everglades does not belong only to Florida. Its fate is bound up with the health of the Gulf of Mexico, the drinking water of millions, and the survival of dozens of endangered species. The Everglades Encyclopedia is the book this place has always deserved — and the one every reader who cares about the natural world needs on their shelf. Read more