Customer Reviews

Restoring North America's Birds: Lessons from Landscape Ecology

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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.

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.

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.