A neotropical companion : an introduction to the animals, plants, and ecosystems of the New World tropics

Widely praised, "A Neotropical Companion" remains a book of unparalleled value to tourists, students, and scientists alike. It is an extraordinarily readable introduction to the American tropics, the lands of Central and South America, their rainforests and other ecosystems, and the creatures that live there. 177 color illustrations. A Neotropical Companion Is An Extraordinarily Readable Introduction To The American Tropics, The Lands Of Central And South America, Their Remarkable Rainforests And Other Ecosystems, And The Creatures That Live There. This Second Edition Has Been Substantially Revised And Expanded To Incorporate The Abundance Of New Scientific Information That Has Been Produced Since It Was First Published In 1989. Major Additions Have Been Made To Every Chapter, And New Chapters Have Been Added On Neotropical Ecosystems, Human Ecology, And The Effects Of Deforestation. Biodiversity And Its Preservation Are Discussed Throughout The Book, And Neotropical Evolution Is Described In Detail. This New Edition Offers All New Drawings And Photographs, Many Of Them In Color. Tropical Climates And Ecosystems -- Rainforest Structure And Diversity -- How A Rainforest Functions -- Evolutionary Patterns In The Tropics -- Complexities Of Coevolution And Ecology Of Fruit -- The Neotropical Pharmacy -- Living Off The Land In The Tropics -- Rivers Through Rainforest -- Introduction To The Andes And Tepuis -- Savannas And Dry Forests -- Coastal Ecosystems : Mangroves, Seagrass, And Coral Reefs -- Neotropical Birds -- A Rainforest Bestiary -- Deforestation And Conservation Of Biodiversity -- Appendix. And Hey, Let's Be Careful Out There. John Kricher ; Illustrated By William E. Davis, Jr. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [396]-434) And Indexes.