"Most guides to animals in parks are intended primarily as identification aids and include relatively little on the biology of the species. Dodd's book is much more, with detailed information on all aspects of the natural history of these species. Biologists, students, and visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park will find this an indispensable guide." --Arthur C. Echternacht Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Tennessee The Amphibians of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the first book devoted entirely to the natural history of the forty-four species of amphibians known to occur presently or historically in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, in the most-visited national park in the United States. Features - The only comprehensive book on the natural history of the amphibians of Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Beautiful original illustrations of salamander and frog larvae taken from specimens within the park - History of research and management effects on amphibians within the park - Extensive new information on the natural history of amphibians, based on four years of intensive field research - Simplified identification table guide to amphibian larvae - Summary of information on distribution (with range maps) and biogeography - Comprehensive bibliography of the literature on amphibians within the park - Summary of new data on the conservation of southern Appalachian amphibians, particularly with regard to land use, the effects of UV light, and disease C. Kenneth Dodd is a research zoologist with the U.S. Geological Survey at the Florida Integrated Science Center and is president of The Herpetologists' League. He is the author of North American Box Turtles: A Natural History and numerous articles in Journal of Herpetology, Biological Conservation, Herpetologica, and other publications. He lives in Gainesville, Florida.

Tennessee's biotic diversity has been well documented in field guides dedicated to its wildflowers; trees, shrubs, and woody vines; mussels; fishes; amphibians; and birds. Glaringly absent from this assemblage, however, is an equivalent statewide guide to the remarkably diverse reptiles of the Volunteer State. This book fills that void by offering the first authoritative overview of all sixty native species of reptiles occurring in Tennessee. Both a field guide and a scientific reference, this definitive work will prove useful to professionals who work with reptiles for a living as well as those just curious about the various creatures living in their own backyards. The bulk of the book is devoted to individual species accounts, each of which includes a detailed range map and comprehensive information on identification, natural history, and conservation of the lizards, snakes, turtles, and alligator native to Tennessee. Also included is information on known introduced species and species whose presence in Tennessee is questionable. Vivid color photographs illustrate each species' various life stages. Introductory chapters provide an overview of reptile anatomy and life history, and of the geography, climate, and habitats in the state. Giving special attention to reptile conservation, the book highlights various threats to Tennessee's reptile species-- including the destruction of their habitats, malicious killing, the pet trade, hunting, and pollution--and describes the most common methods employed by herpetologists and wildlife biologists to safely capture and document reptiles in nature. Complete with a checklist that will help readers keep track of reptiles they discover, a glossary, and a list of recommended readings, organizations, and websites for those seeking additional information, Reptiles of Tennessee will prove an essential resource for teachers, biologists, and anyone having a stake in the conservation of biodiversity and the natural heritage of the Volunteer State and the nation.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of America's most beautiful and popular national parks. Located in the southern Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, it is home to more than 100,000 species of plants and animals. The grandeur and sheer scale of the park has been captured in Donald W. Linzey's new book, Natural History Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the most extensive volume available on the park's natural history. Written from the perspective of a naturalist who has spent over fifty years conducting research in the park, this volume not only discusses the park's plant and animal life but also explores the impact that civilization has played in altering the area's landscape. Linzey, who has been a major contributor to the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, a concentrated effort to identify every species of plant and animal living within the park, draws from this deep reservoir of research. His book provides a thorough overview of everything a visitor to the park would need to know, without complex jargon. Both casual readers and those more interested in the ecology of the Great Smoky Mountains will find this book an enlightening and educational guide. Donald W. Linzey, a wildlife biologist and ecologist, is professor of biology at Wytheville Community College in Wytheville, Virginia. He is an authority on the mammals of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its environs.

A Roadside Guide to the Geology of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Harry L. Moore "In this informative, readable, altogether useful guide, Harry Moore adds another dimension to our understanding and appreciation of the Great Smoky Mountains. He acquaints us skillfully with the geologist's terminology and shows us how to read for ourselves the ancient language of the rocks." --Wilma Dykeman "Everybody loves the plants, trees, birds, mammals, and even the reptiles, amphibians, and insects of the Great Smokies. But rocks are not less fascinating, alive in their own way, the foundation of all the rest of life. So I think it's great to have this guide as a companion on the trail." --Michael Frome Guiding the reader on five popular driving tours and five key hiking trails, this nontechnical guidebook indicates not-to-be-missed points of interest and describes the geological evolution associated with them. Tour maps are complemented by annotated road log commentaries and copious drawings and photographs to aid in identifying geological phenomena even when these are obscured by the mountains' lush vegetation. A helpful introduction, focusing on the geologic history of the Smokies, illuminates basic terms and concepts, while a glossary, list of suggested readings, and detailed index further enhance the book's utility. Unique in providing a crisp, comprehensive summary of the Smoky Mountains' geology, A Roadside Guide will serve as a basic planning guide for scenic road trips and hiking trips in the Smokies. Harry L. Moore holds a master's degree in geology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Since 1972 he has been a geologist at the Tennessee Department of Transportation.