[Review of previous edition: ] A Recommended Book. Watersheds brings to its readers an enticing survey of the essential elements of water ecology. From the elementary concept of a watershed to more intricate biological aspects of wetland ecosystems and their impact upon the environment, this book delivers the most up-to-date scientific information in a simplified format and writing style... Clive Dobson's more than 100 beautifully crafted color illustrations augment the text and make reading the book easy, informative, and enjoyable... This handbook will be a useful resource for middle and high school teachers as well as high school students.-- (11/01/2009) [Review of previous edition: ] Should be required reading for every citizen ... This book clearly explains the value of clean water, wetlands, and proper watershed management.--Scott Salaway Mercury [Review of previous edition: ] This is a good book, mainly because it covers a wide range of watershed-related issues in a reader-friendly style.--John D. OwensScience Books and Films (03/01/2000) [Review of previous edition: ] This is a good reference for older children and interested grown-ups. It's all about water -life-giving water that is the most precious resource on the planet, yet one of the most poorly understood. It's clearly and simply written by biologist Gregor Beck, who explains what a watershed is--essentially a region that drains into a particular body of water. Clive Dobson's lovely watercolour renderings help us quickly grasp the interconnectivity of our water systems, of life.... There are sections about the ecology of hard-working marshes, ponds and estuaries, and an explanation of why floods are devastating but important. I like how the book connects human actions to the health of our watersheds, and provides pages of useful tips: raking leaves by hand instead of using polluting leaf blowers; properly disposing of hazardous household products, not dumping them down the drain; and pulling weeds by hand instead of spraying them with toxins. There's also a hopeful section on restoring the health of streams and rivers.--Valerie BerenyiCalgary Herald (06/18/2011) [Review of previous edition: ] This is an excellent primer on ecology, simply written and charmingly illustrated with more than 100 watercolors.--Canadian Geographic (05/01/2000) [Review of previous edition: ] Watersheds seeks to explain simply why putting poisons in the water is bad by showing how watersheds work, how all water systems -- streams, sewers, rivers, oceans, our own plumbing -- are interconnected and interdependent. ... The author's method is excellent. ... It would make a good supplementary text for a high school biology class, but would also be nice for the ecologically conscious parent.-- (11/01/1999) [Review of previous edition: ] You flush the toilet, then go to the sink and get yourself a glass of water -- water that may be coming from the same place your toilet content was just sent. Perhaps being a little more educated on watersheds and how to protect them isn't such a bad thing. Watersheds: A Practical Handbook for Healthy Water, a heavily illustrated recent re-release of a 1999 book, touches on a wide range of topics, from how seasonal temperature patterns affect oxygen levels in lakes to the many ways in which humans negatively alter natural cycles -- releasing substances that cause ozone depletion and acid rain, clear-cutting forests and, yes, treating sewage without properly filtering toxins. The book is full of tips on how to ease your ecological footprint -- for example, instead of using road salt, try sand on your steps or, say, an old-fashioned shovel. Watersheds may be too basic for established environmentalists, but it will be appreciated by curious readers concerned about what happens to their toilet water when they flush.-- (06/01/2011)
