The Emerald Horizon: The History of Nature in Iowa

by Cornelia F. Mutel

In The Emerald Horizon , Cornelia Mutel combines lyrical writing with meticulous scientific research to portray the environmental past, present, and future of Iowa. In doing so, she ties all of Iowa's natural features into one comprehensive whole.

Since so much of the tallgrass state has been transformed into an agricultural landscape, Mutel focuses on understanding today’s natural environment by understanding yesterday’s changes. After summarizing the geological, archaeological, and ecological features that shaped Iowa’s modern landscape, she recreates the once-wild native communities that existed prior to Euroamerican settlement. Next she examines the dramatic changes that overtook native plant and animal communities as Iowa’s prairies, woodlands, and wetlands were transformed. Finally she presents realistic techniques for restoring native species and ecological processes as well as a broad variety of ways in which Iowans can reconnect with the natural world. Throughout, in addition to the many illustrations commissioned for this book, she offers careful scientific exposition, a strong sense of respect for the land, and encouragement to protect the future by learning from the past.

The “emerald prairie” that “gleamed and shone to the horizon’s edge,” as botanist Thomas Macbride described it in 1895, has vanished. Cornelia Mutel’s passionate dedication to restoring this damaged landscape—and by extension the transformed landscape of the entire Corn Belt—invigorates her blend of natural history and human history. Believing that citizens who are knowledgeable about native species, communities, and ecological processes will better care for them, she gives us hope—and sound suggestions—for the future.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

328 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2007

About the author

Cornelia Fleischer Mutel

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

If someone had never heard of Iowa I would hand them this book. It covers a lot of natural history and how the geography and climate contributed to the formation of the land and flora and fauna. This in turn shaped the way the inhabitants lived and continues to do so today.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explains how Iowa’s ecosystem was formed by glaciers, water, fire, and animals. You also learn in detail how all the pieces of the ecosystem worked together and the many benefits they provided. Unfortunately, European immigrants practically wiped out our native ecosystem in one generation. But the book also describes how we can restore some of that ecosystem and the benefits that restoration would provide. Overall, I gained a much greater understanding of how Iowa was and what it would take to regain some of that again.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish every Iowan would read this book. It contains great information and is easy to read. My only complaint is that the last chapter describes all the things that need to be done to restore some semblance of nature in Iowa, but doesn't tell how to accomplish these things. As I was reading, I was thinking, "No, duh. But how are we suppose to do that?" Anyway, a pretty straight forward account of the history of nature in Iowa - just like the title promises.

[Adam Weis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most comprehensive review of ecology and conservation in Iowa. While it's nonfiction and dives into the fine details, Connie follows the sad storyline of the decline of nature in Iowa as prairies and forests are turned to monoculture, which makes you wish it were fiction.

Only downside for me was the level of detail and redundancy made the last third or so hard to read.

[David Bellangue · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that shins a light into the Iowa that was and perhaps can be again with careful stewardship.

[William Crosby]

[Iowa mention]

[Steven McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book shortly after moving to Iowa in order to gain some context for the landscape around me. I knew the broadbrush story already (natives pushed out, fires eradicated, wildlife overhunted, prairies plowed), but this provided a more nuanced understanding. I hadn't realized that many river channels had not fully developed since the last glaciation, and that much of the prairie was essentially a waterlogged sponge. I knew that the bison and wolves were gone, but I was less aware of the reduction in many bird species. Not exactly a happy book, but motivational. Well written.

[Marvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

An important account of the causes & consequences of the loss of Iowa's richly diverse tallgrass prairie & woodlands, as well as efforts to conserve & restore them, but as a reading experience, it's mostly like reading an extended encyclopedia article, with quite a bit of repetition between chapters.

[Jennifer Provorse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I didn't get through the entire book, but 85 pages of the history of this state was as far as I could get for now. I'll update again when I pick it up and learn the disastrous effects of industrial ag...stupid corn syrup!

[Ashley Millet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and Lots of information about how the Iowa landscape has changed. I loved this book but it was definitely a bit dense at times