Restoring North America's Birds: Lessons from Landscape Ecology [Hardcover]

Robert A. Askins (Author), Julie Zickefoose (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2000

This volume brings together research on bird species and habitats to show how basic ecological principles apply in seemingly different situations. It introduces bird ecology and concepts of landscape ecology, focusing on such intriguing species as Bachman's Warbler and Red Crossbill.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Scores of bird species are in decline throughout North America. But the extent of that decline, writes zoologist Robert Askins, is unknown. Newspapers, for instance, report one day that songbird species are widely threatened, another day that songbirds seem to be thriving, offering conflicting views that, Askins hints, seem not to take into account the phenomena of migration and the very real destruction of the natural world.

Drawing on the methods of landscape ecology, Askins looks at ways in which to measure the health of individual habitats. He pays special attention to seemingly habitat-threatening events such as fire and flood, which generations of conservation managers and foresters have attempted to suppress, but that are important mechanisms in maintaining the balance of nature. He also revisits principles that are becoming better understood--among them the fact that some species, such as the controversial spotted owl and the less-publicized upland sandpiper, require large areas of undisturbed habitat in order to survive. Those large areas are a commodity that development is making ever more rare, and, Askins points out, most declining bird species are associated with what he calls "lost landscapes," once-plentiful habitats that have been erased or transformed. Only through a vigorous program of habitat restoration and conservation can North America's birds--and other wildlife species--be protected from further ruin. Askins's book is an eye-opening and instructive work of scientific inquiry. --Gregory McNamee

Review

"Well written and well-researched. . . . first-rate-very broad in scope and appeal, readable." -- Trevor E. Pitcher, American Scientist

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; 1st Edition. edition (February 9, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300079672
• ISBN-13: 978-0300079678
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,119,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lessons in Avian Ecology for All Audiences, June 19, 2000

By 

J. Martin (Richmond, UT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Restoring North America's Birds: Lessons from Landscape Ecology (Hardcover)

There are few books that would rank as truely significant for North American ornithology, particularly integrating general ecological theory using birds as the mechanism for examples. Dr. Askins' broad paintbrush narrative leads the reader across North American landscapes focusing on conservation issues threatening migratory and resident bird species. With few exceptions all the major continental biological communities are addressed.

What makes this treatise so inviting is the fact it is so well written that the weekend birder with casual interest in conservation issues is not overwhelmed with its technical content. Specifically, the myriad of research data is unencumbered by citations and given in a conversational manner. On the other hand, professionals, graduate students and land-managers could use this book in nearly a text-like manner due to exhaustive analyses, study summaries, and literature review it represents. The chapter notes, references, and index are alone worth the asking price.

The subtitle: "... Lessons from Landscape Ecology" captures the major tenant of the book. As an example, Chapter 5 "Deep Forest Birds and Hostile Edges" covers: (1) spot-mapping (a method that researchers use for monitoring bird populations including density estimates); (2) population sources and sinks; (3) the history leading to the realization that (eastern) forest birds (mostly Neotropical migrants) were rapidly declining and not recovering; and (4) differences between natural forest mosaics (structure) and human-created habitat fragmentation. Discussion of fragmentation continues with edge effect that increases predation, decreases insect food resources, decreases forest interior (area), and most importantly place birds nesting near edges at high risk to brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds. Other chapters are similarly detailed.

Illustrations by Ms. Zickefoose are superb (as always) and good introductions for each chapter. Too bad they are not in color but then the cost of the book would have gone up proportionately.

I found the book informative, concise, and recommend it to anyone (professional, student or amateur) interested in landscape conservation issues, birds, ecology or any combination thereof. It should be "mandatory" reading for bird-banders and bird-watchers this summer - Tami, Marsha, Ingrid, Dana, and Lori, this means you.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great review of restoration ecology, January 24, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Restoring North America's Birds: Lessons from Landscape Ecology (Hardcover)

This book addresses a good variety of topics pertaining to avian ecology and conservation. Some chapters are geared towards a particular region, while other chapters focus on more general restoration and conservation, yet all are interesting and well written. Of course you can take this information about bird habitat conservation and apply it to many other aspects of wildlife biology. I recommend this book for anyone interested in research for the protection of our natural environment, and the wildlife that depends upon it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on landscape ecology!, May 15, 2011

By 

Hazel - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Restoring North America's Birds: Lessons from Landscape Ecology (Paperback)

Excellent book for understanding bird conservation. This book explains how the landscapes of North America have changed and how these changes have impacted bird populations. Everyone interested in bird conservation should read this book.