Wyoming Ecology Book Releases Second Edition

Twenty years after it was first published, a leading book on Wyoming ecology is coming out with a second edition. The new edition of “Mountains and Plains: The Ecology of Wyoming Landscapes” is updated with color illustrations, additional chapters, and new maps.

The first edition, written by University of Wyoming Professor Emeritus Dennis Knight, was published by Yale University Press in 1994. The book has proven to be a popular resource for land managers, teachers, scientists, students and anyone else interested in the ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains and western Great Plains.

The second edition by Knight, George Jones, William Reiners and William Romme includes research from the last 20 years on topics like the effects of climate change, fire management, habitat fragmentation and the reintroduction of wolves.

“Mountains and Plains is an unusual book because it is both scientifically accurate and outstandingly accessible,” says Carlos Martinez del Rio, director of UW’s Biodiversity Institute, which supported the book. “Its pages use clear language and informative illustrations to describe the ecological wonders of our state. While the book focuses on Wyoming, it is relevant to neighboring states and is written for a general audience.”

Knight says that the book’s website, www.mountainsandplains.net, “provides a means by which readers can ask questions or contribute information that we did not include.”

A reception to celebrate the book’s release is scheduled for November 5 at 5 p.m. at the Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center at 10^th and Lewis Streets in Laramie. The receptions includes a short concert followed by comments from del Rio and the authors. Books will also be available for purchase and signing. The event, hosted by the UW Biodiversity Institute, is free to the public.

To learn more about the UW Biodiversity Institute, click here.