Lapland: A Natural History

This is the first book in English to offer a full account of the natural history of Lapland, a broad region that encompasses parts of Russia, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The book includes an overview of the region and its flora and fauna, its biogeography, and a history of human impact from the visitation of the first naturalists to the pollution, climate change, and conservation efforts taking place today.
 Separate chapters examine each of the six main types of habitat in Lapland: boreal forests, forest peatlands, lakes and rivers, coastlands, tundra, and modified/human-influenced areas. Emphasis is placed on characteristic birds and animals and distinctive plant communities or those of particular botanical interest that visitors are likely to encounter. An account of various plant and animal species is provided, along with geographical and ecological information.
 Filling a gap in our knowledge of the wildlife and plant life of this fascinating region, the book presents current and comprehensive information that natural historians as well as travelers will appreciate. Over 250 color and black-and-white illustrations and photographs enhance the volume.

This is the first book in English to offer a full account of the natural history of Lapland, a broad region that encompasses parts of Russia, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The book includes an overview of the region and its flora and fauna, its biogeography, and a history of human impact from the visitation of the first naturalists to the pollution, climate change, and conservation efforts taking place today.
 Separate chapters examine each of the six main types of habitat in Lapland: boreal forests, forest peatlands, lakes and rivers, coastlands, tundra, and modified/human-influenced areas. Emphasis is placed on characteristic birds and animals and distinctive plant communities or those of particular botanical interest that visitors are likely to encounter. An account of various plant and animal species is provided, along with geographical and ecological information.
 Filling a gap in our knowledge of the wildlife and plant life of this fascinating region, the book presents current and comprehensive information that natural historians as well as travelers will appreciate. Over 250 color and black-and-white illustrations and photographs enhance the volume.

The late Derek Ratcliffe made annual visits to study nature in Lapland over his last fourteen years. He served as chief scientist of Britain’s Nature Conservancy Council and was the author of several highly acclaimed books, including The Peregrine Falcon. In the 1960s, he was the first to discover that pesticides were causing the eggshell thinning in birds of prey that had brought about their catastrophic decline in Europe and North America.