February's Field's Pond Group Read

Field's Pond Reading Group

Join Joyce Rumery to discuss books and topics that deal with environmental issues. For more information, contact Joyce Rumery by phone: 581-1655, or email: rumery@maine.edu (Held at the Bangor Public Library-NMLD conference room)   February 14, 2013 at 6:30 PM The Granite Landscape: A Natural History of America's Mountain Domes, from Acadia to Yosemite by Tom Wessels Why would a man who is neigher a geologist nor a rock climber write about granite domes?  Because he has an inordinate fondness for lichen:  "I am particulary enamored of the moss and fuiticose lichen communities on granite outcrops," writes Wessels, "Looking down at them from a few feet above, I am reminded of flying over mixed forests of conifers and hardwoods Liliputian woodlands surrounded by crustos-lichen covered fields."  Wessels tracks the unique lichen and shrub ecology of barren granite mountains that exists in Acadia and Yosemite National Parks, as well as the White Mountains, Adirondacks, Wind Rivers, Beartooths, and Enchantments.  This is a natural history in the best tradition, describing how geology, geomorphology, plant community interactions, environmental forces, and human history are all interrelated.  ~Library Journal