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Southern Wonder: Alabama's Surprising Biodiversity
Southern Wonder explores Alabama’s amazing biological diversity, the reasons for the large number of species in the state, and the importance of their preservation.
Alabama ranks fifth in the nation in number of species of plants and animals found in the state, surpassed only by the much larger western states of California,Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. When all the species of birds, trees, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, wildflowers, dragonflies, tiger beetles, and ants are tallied, Alabama harbors more species than 90 percent of the other states in the United States. Alabamais particularly rich in aquatic biodiversity, leading the nation in species of freshwater fishes, turtles, mussels, crayfish, snails, damselflies, and carnivorous plants. The state also hosts an exceptional number of endemic species―those not found beyond its borders―ranking seventh in the nation with 144 species. The state’s 4,533 species, with more being inventoried and discovered each year, are supported by no less than 64 distinct ecological systems―each a unique blend of soil, water, sunlight, heat, and natural disturbance regimes. Habitats include dry forests, moist forests, swamp forests, sunny prairies, grassy barrens, scorching glades, rolling dunes, and bogs filled with pitcher plants and sundews. The state also includes a region of subterranean ecosystems that are more elaborate and species rich than any other place on the continent.
Although Alabama is teeming with life, the state’s prominence as a refuge for plants and animals is poorly appreciated. Even among Alabama’s citizens, few outside a small circle of biologists, advocates, and other naturalists understand the special quality of the state’s natural heritage. R. Scot Duncan rectifies this situation in Southern Wonder by providing a well-written, comprehensive overview that the general public, policy makers, and teachers can understand and use. Readers are taken on an exploratory journey of the state’s varied landscapes―from the Tennessee River Valley to the coastal dunes―and are introduced to remarkable species, such as the cave salamander and the beach mouse. By interweaving the disciplines of ecology, evolution, meteorology, and geology into an accessible whole, Duncan explains clearly why Alabama is so biotically rich and champions efforts for its careful preservation.
Published in Cooperation with The Nature Conservancy
Alabama ranks fifth in the nation in number of species of plants and animals found in the state, surpassed only by the much larger western states of California,Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. When all the species of birds, trees, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, wildflowers, dragonflies, tiger beetles, and ants are tallied, Alabama harbors more species than 90 percent of the other states in the United States. Alabamais particularly rich in aquatic biodiversity, leading the nation in species of freshwater fishes, turtles, mussels, crayfish, snails, damselflies, and carnivorous plants. The state also hosts an exceptional number of endemic species―those not found beyond its borders―ranking seventh in the nation with 144 species. The state’s 4,533 species, with more being inventoried and discovered each year, are supported by no less than 64 distinct ecological systems―each a unique blend of soil, water, sunlight, heat, and natural disturbance regimes. Habitats include dry forests, moist forests, swamp forests, sunny prairies, grassy barrens, scorching glades, rolling dunes, and bogs filled with pitcher plants and sundews. The state also includes a region of subterranean ecosystems that are more elaborate and species rich than any other place on the continent.
Although Alabama is teeming with life, the state’s prominence as a refuge for plants and animals is poorly appreciated. Even among Alabama’s citizens, few outside a small circle of biologists, advocates, and other naturalists understand the special quality of the state’s natural heritage. R. Scot Duncan rectifies this situation in Southern Wonder by providing a well-written, comprehensive overview that the general public, policy makers, and teachers can understand and use. Readers are taken on an exploratory journey of the state’s varied landscapes―from the Tennessee River Valley to the coastal dunes―and are introduced to remarkable species, such as the cave salamander and the beach mouse. By interweaving the disciplines of ecology, evolution, meteorology, and geology into an accessible whole, Duncan explains clearly why Alabama is so biotically rich and champions efforts for its careful preservation.
Published in Cooperation with The Nature Conservancy
464 pages, Hardcover
First published November 15, 2013
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93 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 2, 2021
I am going to be honest with my bias. Scot Duncan has been a teacher, a boss, a role model, and a friend to me through the the years. It is always a good day when he and I encounter each other.
Even if my bias did not exist, I would still consider this an amazing book and resource for anyone interested in ecology or the state of Alabama. Scot is able to blend a buffet of sciences into a very readable accounting of this remarkable state of biodiversity. This is an excellent book for both readers with high science literacy and those who may just be starting a journey into the realms of science.
I hope to use material from this volume in teaching Geography to middle schoolers this Fall.
Even if my bias did not exist, I would still consider this an amazing book and resource for anyone interested in ecology or the state of Alabama. Scot is able to blend a buffet of sciences into a very readable accounting of this remarkable state of biodiversity. This is an excellent book for both readers with high science literacy and those who may just be starting a journey into the realms of science.
I hope to use material from this volume in teaching Geography to middle schoolers this Fall.
August 27, 2024
Scot Duncan shares a comprehensive and thoughtful look at the Natural World and diverse ecosystems of Alabama.
May 18, 2025
Excellent overview of Alabama’s landscape diversity!
April 17, 2018
A very good textbook for background info in our Alabama Master Naturalist classes. We were not required to test on this, and some may not have had time to really study it anyway, but I enjoyed reading it so much that I finished a bit ahead of the suggested time. After the beginning chapters on basic evolutionary view of old earth geology, and random life selection (which would not be my view), then the rest of the chapters on modern climate, soils and different regions of the state, including even the Gulf of Mexico and it's life show an amazing window into how these many forms of wild life function together in our state of Alabama.
June 5, 2017
Very informative science
June 16, 2017
This book is an exceptional combination of entertaining readability and geology and natural history!
April 21, 2014
Spectacular and extensive discussion of all biomes of Alabama. I am so wanting to trek about there - and I would carry this book while doing that.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews