Back in the late 1970s, the late Dr. Charles Wharton, one of Georgia’s most respected naturalists, published “Natural Environments of Georgia,” in which he described 100 of the state’s natural habitats, from secluded mountain coves to sun-drenched coastal salt marshes.
Wharton said he compiled the 227-page publication to help people appreciate Georgia’s immense biological diversity — fifth-highest among all states — and to inspire stewardship of the natural heritage. “Recognition of plants, animals and environments is basic to human survival,” he wrote.
He described the geology, soil type, flora, fauna and other features of each habitat. Although not everyone agreed with his system of classifying the natural environments, his book nevertheless became an essential guide for anyone — biologists, geologists, educators, land planners — studying Georgia’s natural landscape.
Now, inspired by Wharton’s earlier work, three of Georgia’s top naturalists — Leslie Edwards, Jonathan Ambrose and Katherine Kirkman — have led a collaborative effort to update, expand and refine the classifications and descriptions of the state’s natural habitats. The result is a magnificent new book, the “Natural Communities of Georgia,” published by the University of Georgia Press.
Replete with hundreds of color photos, the landmark, 675-page book is divided into the state’s five ecoregions — the Valley and Ridge Province/Cumberland Plateau in Georgia’s northwest corner; the Blue Ridge mountains in the northeast corner; the Piedmont that extends to the fall line; the Coastal Plain south of the fall line; and the barrier islands and salt marshes of the coast.
As the book shows, Georgia is lucky in the sense that it has a lot of wild places that can still be saved and protected — places that can still leave one breathless by their sheer beauty and diversity.
On the other hand, the book also describes the tremendous threats and challenges facing Georgia’s wild places — urban sprawl, forest fragmentation due to development, invasive species and damming of rivers and streams.
Proceeds from the new book, which costs $59.95, will support the non-game wildlife section of the state Department of Natural Resources. The authors will discuss the book on March 11 at 7:15 p.m. at the Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur 30030.
IN THE SKY: The moon will be last quarter on Monday, said David Dundee, Tellus Science Museum astronomer. Jupiter is high in the south just after dark. Saturn rises out of the east a few hours before midnight and will appear near the moon Saturday. Mercury, Venus and Mars are too close to the sun for easy observation.
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