The Natural World of Lewis and Clark

On their journey westward, Lewis and Clark demonstrated an amazing ability to identify the new plants and animals they encountered, and their observations enriched sciences understanding of the trans-Mississippi West. Others have written about their discoveries and have faithfully cataloged their findings; now a twenty-first-century biologist reexamines some of those discoveries in the light of modern science to show for the first time their lasting biological significance.

The Natural World of Lewis and Clark interprets the expeditions findings from a modern perspective to show how advances such as DNA research, modern understanding of proteins, and the latest laboratory methods shed new light on them. David Dalton recounts the expeditions observations and, in clear, readily accessible terms, relates them to principles of ecology, genetics, physiology, and even animal behavior.

Writing in informal language with a bit of wry humor, Dalton invites readers to imagine the West that Lewis and Clark found, revealing the dynamic features of nature and the dramatic changes that earlier peoples brought about. He explains surprising facts, ranging from why Indians used cottonwood bark as winter feed for horses to why the explorers experienced gastric distress with some foods, and even why the Expeditions dog would have been well-advised to avoid a diet of salmon.

Dalton introduces the tools and techniques of todays science in a way that wont intimidate nonspecialist readers. Throughout the book he expertly balances botanical and zoological information, with coverage ranging from the extinction of large animals in North America a few thousand years ago to the expected effects of invasive species and climate change in the coming centuries.

Enhanced with unusual and informative illustrationsnot only nature photography but also historical imagesthis book will fascinate any reader with an interest in the natural history of the American West as well as broader issues in conservation and ecology. The Natural World of Lewis and Clark tells the story behind the story of this remarkable expedition and shows that its legacy extended not only across a continent but also into our own time.

œI couldnt resist continuing until I had finished it! So much has already been written on the biological aspects of the Lewis and Clark expedition that I imagined I would be traveling well-trodden and heavily overgrazed ground. I was very wrong.Paul A. Johnsgard, author of Lewis and Clark on the Great Plains: A Natural History

œThe amazing findings of the [Lewis and Clark] expedition have frequently been chronicled. Dalton . . . interprets them from a modern perspective to show how advances such as DNA research, understanding of proteins and the latest laboratory methods provided new information about them.Associated Press

œStarting from the 19th-century discovery of these plants, animals, and places, Dalton . . . takes the reader both backward and forward in time, examining the history and future of such iconic western creatures as the cottonwood, the sage grouse, and the grizzly bear. . . . The book is beautifully illustrated with photographs of the organisms treated.Choice

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