| A nature field guide is intended to help the | | | | included in its description, along with its |
| reader identify wildlife or other objects of | | | | arrangement and the amount of general |
| natural occurrence. It is specifically | | | | information on a plant or animal's natural |
| created to distinguish between the various | | | | history. Classification Field guides are |
| objects. A nature field guide is an essential | | | | classified by type of organism and region |
| tool. Field guides are usually assigned to | | | | covered. Multiple groups of organisms are |
| enable users differentiate between plants and | | | | listed and covered in distinct sections, |
| animals that may look alike in appearance but | | | | Fauna and Flora for ecological system-wide |
| do not necessarily have a close relation. | | | | guides counting both plants and animals, and |
| Almost all scientific field discovery books, | | | | Plants or Animals for guides which include |
| including those meant for students will | | | | groups of organisms from more than one |
| possibly have identification keys to help | | | | category or which do not belong in another |
| with identifying something, but the | | | | classification. Each classification is |
| publicly-obtainable field guide is usually a | | | | sub-divided by region. A combination of |
| browsable illustration guide arranged by | | | | bio-geographical and political divisions is |
| family, shape, color, location or such other | | | | the considerations of how the regions will be |
| descriptors. It is difficult to generalize | | | | sub-divided. Field guides are not listed by |
| about the way in which field guides work, | | | | country, or state because political |
| because it depends on the audience and | | | | boundaries usually make little biological |
| subject of the guide. The most important | | | | logic. The bio-geographical regions used in |
| point of field guides is to positively | | | | this list are as follows: Africa - This |
| classify a bird, plant, rock, butterfly or | | | | includes Madagascar, the Seychelles, and |
| other natural object down to the popular | | | | other islands in the Indian Ocean Antarctica |
| naming level. Many nature field guides | | | | Asia- including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, |
| include a key. The majority of prescribed | | | | the Philippines, and Borneo. |
| taxonomic keys are indeed dichotomous ones, | | | | Australasia-including Australia, New Zealand, |
| where the user should choose between two | | | | the Celebes, and Papua/New Guinea Central and |
| opposing choices, which then leads to another | | | | South America - including Mexico, and the |
| set of choices until the plant or animal is | | | | Caribbean islands Europe, which includes the |
| finally identified. There are many other | | | | Middle East, northern Africa, and Iceland |
| types of keys, including tables and visual | | | | North America - covering the United States |
| keys with illustrations of the species to be | | | | and/or Canada. North America, Eastern United |
| identified. On the other hand, keys generally | | | | States and Canada North America, Western part |
| require some practice to be able to use well | | | | of the Rocky Mountains Explore the natural |
| but they can be very helpful. For instance, | | | | world around you; natural field guides will |
| trees in the winter season are far easier to | | | | be of help. Discover the wonders of natures |
| identify by means of a key rather than the | | | | and learn new things that will enhance your |
| standard field guide descriptions. Generally, | | | | knowledge! |
| features contained in field guides have range | | | | |
| maps and checklists. The presence of all of | | | | For more information on Nature Field Guides |
| these features in each field guide is | | | | please visit our website. |