A High Uintas Bookshelf

In this column we’ll list 2-4 interesting articles, books or the like that have caught our attention. They aren’t necessarily recent or recently read-- sort of a random compilation. Within a year, hopefully, we’ll have an established and detailed reading list. It won’t be complete without your additions. Please send suggestions and a descriptive sentence or two.

This month's reviews are by Dick Carter and Margaret Pettis

Nature. Vol. 421/2 January 2003. "A globally coherent fingerprint of climate change impacts across natural systems." Camille Parmesan and Gary Yohe.

Nature. Vol. 421/2 January 2003. "Fingerprints of global warming on wild animals and plants. Terry Root, et al.

These two articles, while typical of deep mathematic and statistical reviews found in Nature, make the point clear enough to even the most causal reader-global warming is not an idea, but a real process with powerful consequences that play to the very survival of numerous species and ecosystems. Both studies note the difficulty in isolating global warming and showing the consequences but conclude with a very high confidence the climate change is having profound affects already and in combination with fragmentation of habitats from other human induced short-sightedness may result if deep and catastrophic impacts to many species and their habitats.

International Journal of Wilderness. December 2002, Vol. 8, #3. "On the Spiritual Benefits of Wilderness." Baylor Johnson.
Wilderness, spirit and mystery- hardly a new context and the theme of some of the most eloquent and deep nature writing. This is not that but, nonetheless is an interesting introduction and review of wilderness and mystery.

International Journal of Wilderness. December 2002, Vol. 8, #3. "Toward a Resolution of the Fixed Anchors in Wilderness Debate. Christopher Jones and Steven J. Hollenhorst.
We have written about this controversy in previous articles and reviewed number of technical papers showing the impacts of rock climbing on natural/wilderness sites. This, again, doesn't add much to the argument, but does nicely summarize the debate, the history of this issue and the hurdles that must be overcome to find a solution. DC

… AND FOR THE KIDS!

Are you searching for books for youngsters that present ecologically-minded topics by sensitive authors and fine illustrators? Visit this site (ccel.schoolsgogreen.org) and enjoy looking through the many ideas offered by talented author Lynne Cherry and her team at Antioch College.

I had the fortune to meet Lynne a few years ago at a wildlife activists/ illustrator/ writer conference at the Roger Tory Petersen Institute in Jamestown, N.Y. and am very impressed with her continuing work to bring works of value and beauty to young people!

Her site and newsletter are excellent!

MP