Customer Reviews

Eastern Old-Growth Forests: Prospects For Rediscovery And Recovery

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This book has become a primary reference and is much referred in scientific papers. The chapters by different authors broadly discuss the topic old-growth. My favorite chapters were "A Native American Perspective" and the regional chapters. The regional chapters have been written from different perspectives according to writers' speciality: Chapter 10 (Southern New England, New York and Pennsylvania) concentrates on early old-growth studies and old-growth areas; chapters 11 (Great Lakes) and 12 (Central Mesophytic Forests) discuss disturbance types and succession; 13 (oak and oak-hickory forests) discuss old-growth definitions applicable to the oak and oak-hickory forests; 14 (Southeastern Wetlands) has been written from the personal perspective of a conservationist; 15 (Longleaf Pine Forests) describes fire interactions of the original, now almost totally disappeared, Pinus palustris forests, but also includes a table of all known old-growth areas. Different authors also define the term "old-growth" differently. This "non-homogenousness" is not a downside but makes the book still richer.

There are some minor weaknesses. Chapter "Extent and Location" could be more precise. Now it often mentions only "10,000 acre XXXXX State Forest includes 2,000 acres of old-growth" without telling where the old-growth exactly is. Or still better, there could be a chapter "Visiting Eastern Old-Growth Forests". I consider the visitor perspective an important point, and the book also emphasize spiritual values of old-growth. For the Northeast there is "The Sierra Club Guide to the Ancient Forests of the Northeast" by Kershner & Leverett but for many other regions there are no guide books. A few color pictures of the most important parks would be nice. For the readers not familiar with the eastern North American flora, there should be a table of common and scientific names at the end of the book, as all the writers do not mention scientific names.

I recommend this book to all forest lovers regardless of home country.

Forest activists often hear the argument, "What is Old Growth?" This book helps to distinguish these valuable ecosystems. The book covers everything from fauna and flora that habitat these areas to the spiritual value of the remaining old growth in the Eastern United States.

This book is essential for activists and ecologists everywhere.