Acid Rain in the Adirondacks: An Environmental History - Softcover

Jerry C. Jenkins; Karen Roy; Charles Driscoll; Christopher Buerkett

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801474248 ISBN 13: 9780801474248

Publisher: Comstock Publishing Associates, 2007

Synopsis

Acid rain has changed the face of the Adirondacks, created political tensions between the Northeast and the Midwest, and served as both a harbinger of global climate change and a "fire drill" for public- and private-sector responses to environmental crises. The history of acid rain research is a striking case in which a large-scale and long-term environmental problem was addressed in part through scientifically motivated changes in public policy.

In the 1970s, acid rain was viewed as a simple problem that was limited in scope and characterized by "dead," fishless lakes. Scientists now have broader insights into the processes by which acid rain sets off a cascade of adverse effects in ecosystems as its components move through air, soil, vegetation, and surface waters. Written and designed to appeal to both scientists and lay readers, this book is a landmark example of scientific communication that provides a comprehensive scientific history of the phenomenon, from its discovery to the full understanding of the scope of its effects and the ultimate responses that have mitigated some of the damage to the region's lakes and forests.

Published in association with the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation with the support of the Wildlife Conservation Society, United States Environmental Protection Agency, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"This is the definitive book on an important topic; there aren't any even close competitors. And it's also the best example I've ever seen of how to communicate thoroughly and clearly about a scientific topic."--Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future

"Acid Rain and the Adirondacks is unique, remarkable for its authors' tone and rich graphical approach to an interesting but complex series of scientific investigations of a significant environmental problem. I cannot think of another scientific text in my field that is as richly and well illustrated as this one; the numerous graphs, diagrams, and maps are a delight. The text of the book presents a historical and progressive story as opposed to a more traditional academic review. Acid Rain in the Adirondacks will appeal to college professors, high school teachers, government professionals, and anyone who wants a readable and well-illustrated summary of Adirondack studies."--Michael L. Pace, Institute of Ecosystem Studies

"Acid Rain and the Adirondacks is an incredibly rich resource that comprehensively pulls together the context and findings of decades of research. It is a valuable compilation of history, processes, and data."-Christine L Goodale, Cornell University

About the Author:

Jerry Jenkins is a researcher for the Wildlife Conservation Society and author of The Adirondack Atlas: A Geographic Portrait of the Adirondack Park. Karen M. Roy is a Research Scientist in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Charles T. Driscoll is University Professor of Environmental Systems Engineering, Syracuse University, author of Experimental Watershed Liming Study, and coauthor of Context and Case Studies of Forest Soils in the Southeastern U.S. Christopher Buerkett is a former employee of the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation.

About this edition

• Publisher: Comstock Publishing Associates
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0801474248
• ISBN 13: 9780801474248
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256