Interior & Northern Alaska: A Natural History

Book Description:
How did these creatures manage to survive the extremes of Alaska's environment? How were the Alaskan dinosaurs different from their counterparts elsewhere in the world? How have present-day animals and plants adapted to the harsh winters? Open up Ron Smith's world and learn that the answer is not just in what these creatures are - their size or what color or type of skin covering - but also in what they do. Smith highlights the most interesting of Alaska's residents - the towering grizzly as well as the petite pika, the "coat-changing" ptarmigan and the ever-popular salmon - to reveal nature at its amazing best. This insatiably curious scientist asks questions we'd never think of to discover the wonder of this wild land. How can a ponderously slow-growing evergreen ever hope to survive when it's surrounded by the rapidly growing deciduous trees? Building upon the discoveries of Alaska's extinct dinosaurs and plants and the interrelationship of current species, Smith looks to the future. What are the trends? Which of these specially adapted flora and fauna are likely to survive or even flourish? Past, present, or future, our country's final frontier continues to fascinate. Join Smith on his journey within and around Alaska for a truly unique tour of its incredible inhabitants.