Martin Walters

China is a huge country, with remarkably varied and unusual wildlife. This fully updated second edition of Bradt's visitor's wildlife guide provides a colourful introduction to the mammals, birds, reptiles and other wildlife for which the area is renowned, together with an insight into their habits and habitats, and an indication of where they are likely to be seen. Accessible and beautifully illustrated, the guide will appeal both to the first-time visitor and to the serious naturalist seeking a compact volume to carry around. And after the trip, it will also make a great souvenir. New for this second edition are coverage of the new Giant Panda National Park, the recovery of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, whose numbers have increased from around 1,000 to over 3,000, the huge increase in protected areas on both land and sea, and the increased protection in several large reserves for the chiru or Tibetan antelope, notably in Kekexili World Heritage Reserve. Also included are 10 maps focusing on major landscape features and habitats, as well as specific habitat regions such as desert, high plateau, lowland and wetland, and mountain, forest and grassland. All major animal groups are covered, as are habitats and plant life, and there are features on special topics such as medicinal plants, rare cranes and panda country. There are also practical tips for the visitor on where and when to go, and around 200 photographs illustrating the most interesting species from some of the country's finest photographers.

This beautifully illustrated volume, substantially updated for this new large-format edition, is the ultimate reference guide to more than 1300 of the most spectacular, best-loved and unusual trees across the globe, from the huge redwoods of California to the banyan trees of south-east Asia. A comprehensive introduction looks at the origins of trees, how they have evolved over time, and the ways in which they have adapted to suit the variety of terrains in which they thrive. The three directories feature trees from Temperate and Tropical America; Britain and Europe; and Africa, Asia and Australasia. Each entry is accompanied by a hand-painted illustration, and includes identification details such as bark texture; leaf shape and size; flowering time; average height; and overall tree shape. It is an authoritative volume that will form a vital part of every family's natural history library.

[See isbn 9780754834755 for the new updated edition.] This is the ultimate reference and identification guide to more than 1300 of the most spectacular, best-loved and unusual trees around the globe, with 3000 specially commissioned illustrations, maps and photographs. It provides a valuable insight into the life cycle of the tree; the role the constituent parts such as bark, trunk, leaves and flowers play in its development; and the many different environments in which trees thrive. It reveals each tree's growth habits, average height, leaf size and shape, flower and pollination details, texture of bark, needle length, bud development, fruit and dimensions. This beautifully illustrated book is an identification guide to the world's best-known trees, from huge redwoods to small garden trees. It can be used as a field guide or an educational tool to identify species and individual trees, and to learn about how trees grow, their natural environments, and the species and varieties that proliferate around the world. Each entry is accompanied by a hand-painted illustration, and includes identification details such as bark texture, leaf shape and size, flowering time, average height and overall tree shape. This authoritative volume will form a vital part of every family's natural history library.

This title offers a guide to the world of arthropods, covering many insect orders, including beetles, flies, stick insects, dragonflies, ants and wasps, as well as microscopic creatures. It provides a fascinating overview of insects and spiders, including their habitats and classification, all shown in over 195 beautiful photographs and illustrations. All aspects of insect life are covered, such as the way insects defend themselves and how they are able to jump, leap and fly. It describes cryptic coloration, and the way insects can use camouflage to blend into their background and escape attack from predators. It offers various methods of feeding are discussed, from biting and chewing to lapping, sucking, piercing and filter feeding, according to their different mouthparts. It outlines their useful role in pollination of crops, production of honey, and removing insect pests. In the arthropoda phylum, insects are one of the most successful species, and spiders are one of the largest groups. This book studies how they organize their lives. The first section provides information of every aspect of insect life: evolution, anatomy, life cycles, flight and social organization. The last section describes the 30 orders within the class Insecta, demonstrating the huge variety of insects, from microscopic creatures to giant stick insects and large beetles. Typical features of insects in each order are highlighted. With expert text, illustrations and clear photographs, this guide will be enjoyed by all who take an interest in natural history.

This is an authoritative visual dictionary of every order of the insect world including beetles, cockroaches, flies, crickets, wasps, bees, moths and butterflies, as well as spiders, mites, ticks, centipedes and microscopic creatures. It features a stunning worldwide directory detailing more than 650 arthropod species, with accurate descriptions to aid identification. It includes an in-depth look at insect defence methods such as camouflage, claws for nipping, mouth parts for biting and chewing, stings, hissing noises and warning hues that suggest danger to deter predators. Every stage of the life cycle of each group of insects is described, with illustrations depicting different development phases from egg to larva, pupa and adult. Insects belong to a group known as arthropods, which includes many easily recognizable families such as beetles, flies, wasps, stick insects, dragonflies and ants. This beautifully illustrated guide provides a fascinating overview of the world of arthropods. A directory of arthropod species is organized according to geographical region, then by taxonomic order. Every insect type is included, from the tiniest wingless creature to the largest and most spectacular beetle. Many are illustrated with detailed artworks. Each entry gives a profile outlining the physical traits and characteristics of each insect. Identification details are provided, with a description of their habitat. This expert text visual reference guide will be enjoyed by all natural history enthusiasts.

A visual guide to wild flowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, heathers, grasses, cacti, aquatics and more.

This wide-ranging and lavish book presents an expert survey of the incredible floral diversity of the different regions of the world. A comprehensive introduction looks at the world of wild flowers and the history of their classification. It describes many of the habitats around the world where wild flowers thrive, from mountainous regions to temperate meadows, deserts and floodplains. More than 1730 species are featured, arranged according to region and then by plant family. The key features of each main entry are described to help identify the species, and each entry is illustrated with a botanically accurate profile of the plant, together with identifying details and a map showing where the species originated. With 3800 specially commissioned watercolours, maps and photographs, this beautifully illustrated guide to the wild flowers and flora of the world will appeal to every naturalist.

From the tufted puffin in the Pacific Northwest to the hook-billed hermit in the Brazilian rainforest, birds suffer from the effects of climate change in every corner of the globe. Scientists have found declines of up to 90 percent in some troubled bird populations and unprecedented reproductive failure in others. The most recent studies suggest dire prospects: 1,227 avian species are threatened with extinction and an additional 838 near-threatened species are urgent priorities for conservation action. As much an indispensable guide as a timely call to action, Bird Watch is an illustrated tour of these endangered birds and their habitats. Encyclopedic in scope, this book features all 1,227 species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, thoroughly detailing the environmental pressures and conservation prescriptions that hold their futures in the balance. After introducing readers to the main threats to birds and regions at high risk, Bird Watch presents a visually stunning and scientifically accurate flight over the major bird habitats, including tropical forests; temperate and northern forests; deserts; mountains; grasslands; and Mediterranean, marine, freshwater, and oceanic islands. The volume concludes with an overview of bird species by region--categorized by family within each region, and a guide to the world's best birding sites. Produced in cooperation with BirdLife International, Bird Watch is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of birds and their habitats--and a warning of the dangers they face around the world.

This is a wide-ranging, expert identification guide to every order of the insect world including fleas, beetles, cockroaches and crickets, as well as many less visible creatures. Identification details are provided for more than 650 insect species, and many are illustrated with specially commissioned watercolours. This book includes an in-depth look at insect defence mechanisms such as camouflage, mimicry, hissing, bites and stings, and colouration that suggests danger. Each stage of the insect life cycle is described with illustrations depicting different development phases. It includes 1000 spectacular photographs and anatomically correct watercolours provide a fascinating visual record of the insect world. This beautifully illustrated book provides an overview of the world of insects. The introduction looks at every aspect of insect life: basic anatomy, life cycles, social organisation, feeding techniques, how insects fly, and the ways in which insects are beneficial to humans. An in-depth look at each of the orders that makes up the insect group, with examples of common species, completes the front section of the book. The majority of the book is an encyclopedia of insects organised geographically and then by insect order. Identification details are provided for each insect, such as body colour and segmentation, shape and size, the habitat where each can be found and the time of year, if appropriate. Differences between male and female species are included as well as changes in appearance at each life stage.

The ultimate reference guide and identifier for more than 1000 of the most spectacular, best-loved and unusual trees across the globe. Contains more than 3000 specially commissioned artworks and photographs.