Introduction to the Geology of Southern California and Its Native Plants

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 512 pages
• Published by: University of California Press
• Edition: 1st Edition October 23, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0520249321
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0520249325
• Book Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 1.6 inches
• Weighs: 4 pounds

Product Description
With its active fault systems, complex landforms, and myriad natural habitats, southern California boasts a rich and dynamic geologic environment. This abundantly illustrated volume at last provides an up-to-date, authoritative, and accessible resource for students and general readers interested in southern California's geology and native plants. Covering an extensive area, north from San Diego to Yosemite in the Sierra Nevada and east to the Mojave and Colorado deserts, its unique, comprehensive approach brings together for the first time the basic principles of geology, the story of plate tectonics, in-depth discussion of the geology of many specific locales within the region, and information on identifying southern California's native plants.

From the Inside Flap
"This treatise seamlessly combines an elementary introduction to the theories, facts, and principles defining modern earth science with an up-to-date integration of the present state of knowledge regarding the geologic architecture and geohistory of southern California. Hall, the world's leading expert on this region, has delivered a spectacularly illustrated enyclopedia that should be required reading for the southern Californian geologist, naturalist, botanist, and generally inquisitive hiker."--W. G. Ernst, Stanford University

Reader Reviews
Kruckeberg has probably done most to bring attention to the diversity of soils and geology that provide the substrate for CA's wonderful native plant ecology. His Intro to CA Soils and Plants (2006) and Geology and Plants are both good starting points to take on this master work by Hall. But even if you want an advanced treatment of So Cal Geology to add to Harden and Norris on your shelf, you won't go wrong. Hall, a prof of Geology at UCLA, begins with a good overview of both geology and SoCal geology in parts 1-3. From there he moves into the geology and and botany of SoCal's geomorphic provinces from Yosemite south. A nice selection of color plates is included but there are superior plant references that are more comprehensive (Jepson Manual) and would be useful for botanists when reading Hall. Still, the site specific info detailed in this text is vast. W Ernst praises this compendium and states that it should be required reading for naturalists, botanists and geologists. I would only add that, physical geographers, plant geographers and preservationists would find Hall's unique contribution a solid regional work in geobotany. Who'll take on NorCal for the same project?