The natural history of southern New Zealand

"In this major work, published in association with the Otago museum, scientists from Southern New Zealand guide the reader through their home region, combining hundreds of years of collective expertise and research. Profusely illustrated in color, the book considers geology, landforms, fossils, climate, biogeography, environmental change and the impact of human beings, before taking the reader through a series of habitat-based chapters. Forests and shrublands, tussock grasslands and mountainlands, inland waters and wetlands, the coast and the open sea are explored. The closing chapter looks at conservation issues. Illustrations include photographs, satellite images, paintings and drawings, as well as diagrams." --Publisher description.