The Mississippi Western Five Area Assessment, part of a series of statewide regional assessments, examines 1,630 square miles, falling within portions of seven Illinois counties in western Illinois-- Henderson, Henry, Knox, Mercer, Warren, as well as very small parts of Hancock and Rock Island counties and also falls within the physiographic region called Galesburg Till Plain. The report provides information on the natural and human resources of the area as a basis for managing and improving its ecosystems. The development of ecosystem-based information and management programs in Illinois are the result of three processes-- the Critical Trends Assessment Program, Conservation Congress, and Water Resources and Land Use Priorities Task Force.

"These ten field guides were written for the 2014 GSA Southeastern Section Meeting, which will take place in Blacksburg, Virginia. They cover such varied topics as the 2011 M5.8 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake; Mesozoic fauna from the Solite Quarry; and geology of the Coles Hill uranium deposit"--