West Virginia University Press is publishing the first book in its new Central Appalachian Natural History series: A Natural History of the Central Appalachians by Stephen L. Stevenson.

Central Appalachia is the system of linear ridges, intervening valleys, and deeply dissected plateaus that make up the rugged terrain found in western and southwestern Virginia, eastern and central West Virginia, western Maryland, and a portion of south-central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Through its concise and accessible approach, A Natural History of the Central Appalachians thoroughly examines the biology and ecology of the plants, animals, and other organisms of this region of eastern North America.

With more than 120 images, this text provides an overview of the landscape of this region, including the major changes that have taken place over the past 300 million years; describes the different types of forests and other plant communities currently present in Central Appalachia; and examines living systems ranging from microorganisms and fungi to birds and mammals. Through a consideration of the history of humans in the region, beginning with the arrival of the first Native Americans, A Natural History of the Central Appalachians also discusses the past, present, and future influences of human activity upon this geographic area.

Stephenson has lived, worked, and carried out research throughout the Central Appalachian region for much of his career, including serving as a professor of biology at Fairmont State College for 27 years.

He is currently a research professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas and the author of Myxomycetes: A Handbook of Slime Molds and The Kingdom Fungi: The Biology of Mushrooms, Molds, and Lichens and a coauthor of Macrofungi Associated with Oaks of Eastern North America.

A Natural History of the Central Appalachians is the first book in WVU Press’s Central Appalachian Natural History series. Edited by George Constantz, this series aims to investigate the Central Appalachian region in depth, from the development of natural processes to the myriad details of the resulting flora and fauna, geology, woodlands and wetlands.

To order this title or to learn more about this book and series, visit www.wvupress.com or phone (800) 621-2736.

Steven L. Stephenson
March 2013/304pp/129 photos
HC/J 978-1-933202-68-6: $29.99
ePub 978-1-935978-72-5: $29.99
PDF 978-1-935978-71-8: $29.99

-WVU-

af/03/25/13

CONTACT: Abby Freeland, Marketing Manager at West Virginia University Press
304-293-8400×6, abby.freeland@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.