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A Guide
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Click here to see sample pages
(Table of contents, How to Use this Book, sample from QuickGuide to the Invertebrates, Color Plate 39, sample species account)DESCRIPTION
Popular interest in the observation and study of freshwater invertebrates is increasing. A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America meets the needs of this growing audience of teachers, amateur naturalists, environmentalists, anglers, and others interested in aquatic biology by providing substantive information in non-technical language for about 100 of the most common groups of invertebrates found in the inland waters of North America.
Section I of the book provides background on the biology and ecology of
freshwater environments and explains why and how this group of organisms
can be studied, simply and without complex equipment, in the field and the
laboratory.
Section II describes nearly 100 of the most common groups of
invertebrates, usually at the taxonomic level of order or family. For each
group, a whole-body color illustration is provided along with brief text
pointing out the most important features to use to identify members of the
group.
Section III contains expanded descriptions of the life histories,
behavior, and ecology of the various invertebrate groups, and identifies
their important ecological contributions and relationships to humans.
This guide has several strengths: it is broad in scope, geographically and
taxonomically; it is written at a substantive yet easily accessible level
that will appeal to both general readers and those with more advanced
interest in the subject; and it contains numerous high-quality
illustrations, including more than 100 specially commissioned color plates
by the well-known scientific illustrator Amy Bartlett Wright, which will
greatly facilitate the easy and rapid identification of specimens.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. J. Reese Voshell, Jr., was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. He holds a BS from Randolph-Macon College and a PhD from Virginia Tech. He has taught in the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech since 1976 and has been named to the University's Academy of Teaching Excellence. He has received numerous research grants to study the effects of pollution and environmental stress on freshwater invertebrates. Reese's 30 years of teaching, outreach, and research have convinced him that people of all ages, educational backgrounds, and personal interests can become fascinated with freshwater invertebrates. Reese has worked for years with public agencies and private organizations to design and improve water quality monitoring protocols using freshwater macroinvertebrates. Click here to see a recent article he co-authored in American Entomologist, "Volunteer Biological Monitoring: Can It Accurately Assess the Ecological Condition of Streams?" (document requires Acrobat Reader)
Dr. Voshell is a member of the M & W Speakers Bureau.
REVIEWS
Our Christian families spread out across the country at vacation time. If your family goes camping on vacations, or visits our many State and National parks, you will want this volume. The book is well written.... It will...be shared with the next child that asks me "what is this" for something they fished out of a lake, river, or stream. (Diana Pederson for www.bellaonline.com/articles/art49419.asp, March 2007)
"[Voshell's book is] much more than the typical
field guides on the market today.... A comprehensive guide and study tool,
it is part field guide and part biology text, the combination of which is
what makes this book unique and valuable.... As complete a guide book as
you will ever find or need." (Ecobeetle Book Reviews, August
8, 2002)
"Any naturalist who works with freshwater environments will want a
copy of this book as a valued reference. It provides an amazing and
comprehensive summary of the most common aquatic invertebrates." (Ohio
Dragon Flier, September 2002)
"This book is an excellent introduction to the diversity of invertebrates found in the lakes and streams of North America. It is well written and easy to follow for novices and more experienced investigators of these animals. It is intended for a wide audience and includes helpful information for middle and high school students and teachers, as well as local citizens engaged in stream monitoring or other projects investigating their local watersheds. It will also be useful for college-level courses that involve aquatic ecosystems but do not focus specifically on aquatic invertebrates. Additional readers are likely to include anglers and other naturalists interested in learning more about life below the water's surface." (American Entomologist, Summer 2004)
Other natural history and natural resources titles:
Pitcher Plants of the Americas
Glistening Carnivores--The Sticky-Leaved Insect-Eating Plants of the World
The Teeth of the Lion: The Story of the Beloved and Despised Dandelion
Vernal Pools: Natural History and Conservation
Forests in Peril: Tracking Deciduous Trees from Ice-Age Refuges into the Greenhouse World
A Handbook for Stream Enhancement and Stewardship
Field Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates (laminated pamphlet)
Handbook for Wetlands Conservation and Sustainability
Hands-on Save Our Streams: Science Projects Guide for Students
Restoring America's Streams (video)
SOS for America's Streams -- A Guide to Water Quality Management (video)
Wetlands Stewardship: A Call to Action (video)