Classification Of North American Biotic - Softcover

Biotic communities are regional plant formations characterized by particular species of plants and animals and express the effects of all interacting environmental factors. Using previous works and modifying the existing terminology of biologists, ecologists, and biogeographers this volume describes a hierarchical classification system for biotic communities occurring from the Arctic Circle through Central America. A primary feature is the inclusion of 115 large-format, black-and-white photographs, each illustrating an example of a specific biotic community. Intended as a first step in establishing a universal standard for inventorying plant and animal habitats, this volume neither promotes new concepts nor attempts to replace existing classifications. Rather, it presents a synthesis of the existing works on North American biogeography to aid in the development of a computer-compatible classification system for the world's natural environments. Such a synthesis is important to biological studies concerning environmental inventories and assessments as well as for the management of natural resources by state and federal agencies.

David Brown is adjunct professor in the department of biology, Arizona State University. Frank Reichenbacher is an independent contractor with Southwestern Field Biologists, Phoenix. Susan Franson works for the US Environmental Protection Agency in Las Vegas.