Nature's Way: A Channel Guide to the Wilderness

A nature field guide is intended to help the readerwith its arrangement and the amount of general
identify wildlife or other objects of naturalinformation on a plant or animal's natural history.
occurrence. It is specifically created to distinguishClassification Field guides are classified by type of
between the various objects. A nature field guide isorganism and region covered. Multiple groups of
an essential tool. Field guides are usually assigned toorganisms are listed and covered in distinct sections,
enable users differentiate between plants and animalsFauna and Flora for ecological system-wide guides
that may look alike in appearance but do notcounting both plants and animals, and Plants or
necessarily have a close relation. Almost all scientificAnimals for guides which include groups of organisms
field discovery books, including those meant forfrom more than one category or which do not
students will possibly have identification keys to helpbelong in another classification. Each classification is
with identifying something, but the publicly-obtainablesub-divided by region. A combination of
field guide is usually a browsable illustration guidebio-geographical and political divisions is the
arranged by family, shape, color, location or suchconsiderations of how the regions will be sub-divided.
other descriptors. It is difficult to generalize about theField guides are not listed by country, or state
way in which field guides work, because it dependsbecause political boundaries usually make little
on the audience and subject of the guide. The mostbiological logic. The bio-geographical regions used in
important point of field guides is to positively classifythis list are as follows: Africa - This includes
a bird, plant, rock, butterfly or other natural objectMadagascar, the Seychelles, and other islands in the
down to the popular naming level. Many nature fieldIndian Ocean Antarctica Asia- including India,
guides include a key. The majority of prescribedIndonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Borneo.
taxonomic keys are indeed dichotomous ones, whereAustralasia-including Australia, New Zealand, the
the user should choose between two opposingCelebes, and Papua/New Guinea Central and South
choices, which then leads to another set of choicesAmerica - including Mexico, and the Caribbean islands
until the plant or animal is finally identified. There areEurope, which includes the Middle East, northern
many other types of keys, including tables and visualAfrica, and Iceland North America - covering the
keys with illustrations of the species to be identified.United States and/or Canada. North America, Eastern
On the other hand, keys generally require someUnited States and Canada North America, Western
practice to be able to use well but they can be verypart of the Rocky Mountains Explore the natural
helpful. For instance, trees in the winter season areworld around you; natural field guides will be of help.
far easier to identify by means of a key rather thanDiscover the wonders of natures and learn new
the standard field guide descriptions. Generally,things that will enhance your knowledge!
features contained in field guides have range mapsFor more information on Nature Field Guides please
and checklists. The presence of all of these featuresvisit our website.
in each field guide is included in its description, along