Georgia’s ecological diversity explored in new University of Georgia Press book

The University of Georgia Press is pleased to announce the publication of a new book on Georgia’s ecological diversity. THE NATURAL COMMUNITIES OF GEORGIA is an essential reference for ecologists and other scientists, as well as a rich resource for Georgians interested in the region’s natural heritage. This guide makes the case that identifying Georgia’s sixty-six distinctive natural communities and the factors that determine their distribution are central to understanding the state’s ecological diversity and the steps necessary for its conservation.

Each natural community’s description includes: traits that make it interesting and significant; physical factors and ecological processes that determine the distribution and characteristics of each community; typical plant communities; representative or noteworthy animals; and sidebars that discuss particularly interesting features.

THE NATURAL COMMUNITIES OF GEORGIA features more than 400 hundred color photographs that reveal the stunning natural beauty and diversity of the state.

Contributions to the book are from scientists who have managed, researched, and written about Georgia landscapes for decades. Leslie Edwards is a lecturer at Georgia State University. Jonathan Ambrose is an assistant chief in the Nongame Conservation Section, Wildlife Resources Division, of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. L. Katherine Kirkman is a scientist of plant ecology at Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway.

Major support for this project was provided by the AGL Resources Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. In-kind support was provided by the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway and Georgia State University.

Students, faculty, staff, and members of the community will be able to view a display featuring the book in UGA’s main library’s lobby throughout the month of March.