Although serpentine is the most famous example, amongst the generally "zonal" soils of the young but unglaciated "lower" Enriched World, there are a number of other quite distinctive soils created from the region's intense orogeny, especially in California and the Mediterranean region. These regions provide the most unique biodiversity north of the humid tropics, especially in terms of plant and amphibian species.
The American West in general is a region of remarkable variety for its size, ranging from the eroded Colorado Plateau to the young and glaciated Cascade volcanoes, and from the almost "deep southern" social system of the Pinyon Jay to the extremely advanced hunter-gatherer societies fed by the extremely fertile seas of the Pacific Northwest. Corresponding to this is, as Kruckenberg outlines in "Introduction to California Soils and Plants: Serpentine, Vernal Pools, and Other Geobotanical Wonders" is a great variety of rock types, which in unglaciated areas can produce a surprising diversity of plant species adapted to them. Apart from serpentine, such areas include limestone, salt-affected soils and the ephemeral vernal pools that form during especially wet winters in the southern part of the state.
Kruckenberg, as in his book on serpentines in California, looks in detail at the factors that cause azonal rock types to exclude most plants, including the carbonate rocks of eastern California and the relic Ione paleosol - which like the Pinyon Jay, can in some ways seem familiar to a person from my native Australia where most soils are so old as to be effectively azonal. The desert dunes, which I have never looked at, also seem very impressive with some unusual root parasites.
All in all, however, what is most impressive about "Introduction to California Soils and Plants: Serpentine, Vernal Pools, and Other Geobotanical Wonders (California Natural History Guides)" is how well Kruckenberg depicts all the unique plants of California, as well as some exceptionally spectacular scenery. The pictures alone would be enough to recommend the book, but it is the combination with exceptionally accessible and detailed information about the flora that makes "Introduction to California Soils and Plants: Serpentine, Vernal Pools, and Other Geobotanical Wonders" such a good book to read.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
This item: Introduction to California Soils and Plants: Serpentine, Vernal Pools, and Other Geobotanical Wonders (Volume 86) (California Natural History Guides)
$24.95
Get it as soon as Sunday, Apr 13
Only 3 left in stock (more on the way).
+
$26.95
Get it as soon as Saturday, Apr 12
In Stock
+
$26.95
Get it as soon as Saturday, Apr 12
Only 20 left in stock (more on the way).
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2012
- Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2018
- Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2020
- Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2018
