‘Rivers of North America,’ Edited by UA Biologist, Released in New Format

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A “Field Guide to Rivers of North America,” co-edited by a University of Alabama biologist and based on an award-winning book, was recently published by Academic Press.  

This condensed version of “Rivers of North America” describes 200 of North America’s most significant rivers and is designed to appeal to a non-technical audience, said Dr. Arthur Benke, professor of biological sciences at UA who co-edited both books, along with Dr. Colbert Cushing.

The 459-page book is organized into 22 regional chapters and authored by some of the foremost specialists in those regions. Its purpose, Benke said, is to highlight the natural diversity as well as promote wiser management, sustainability and restoration of the continent’s rivers.

Featuring topographical maps, vital physical and biological statistics and color photography, including images not published in the original volume, this paperback field guide is designed to appeal to nature enthusiasts and anyone interested in sustaining natural resources.

University of Alabama faculty authoring chapters in both volumes include Drs. Phillip Harris, Alexander Huryn, Amelia Ward and Milton Ward.

Angela Brink and Jennifer White, while graduate students at UA, created river basin maps for the book, under the direction of Craig Remington, director of UA’s Cartographic Research Laboratory.

Choice magazine selected the original volume as an “Outstanding Academic Title 2006.” The book also won the 2005 Award for Excellence (Best Book in Geology and Geography) by the Professional and Scholarly Publishing Division of the Association of American Publishers and was selected as one of the 30 “Best Reference 2005” by Library Journal.

The department of biological sciences is part of UA’ s College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.