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Kansas Wetlands

A Wildlife Treasury

Joseph T. Collins, Suzanne L. Collins, and Bob Gress

Foreword by John E. Hayes, Jr., and Jim Minnerath

128 pages, 127 full-color photographs, 8-1/2 x 11
Cloth ISBN 978-0-7006-0635-1, $24.95

Book Cover ImageVibrant and enlightening, Kansas Wetlands provides a photographic celebration of an often overlooked and abused--but ecologically esential--corner of our world.

Although they make up less than one percent of the state's total area, Kansas wetlands--marshes, swamps, woodland pools, seasonal ponds, and even roadside ditches--support more wildlife than the other 99 percent combined. From the lowliest pothole to the grand sweeps of Cheyenne Bottoms, these habitats play a major role in the survival of birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and plants--both common and endangered.

The book's full-color photographs capture wetlands life in all of its resplendent diversity. Pictured here are avocets, otters, snappers, snipes, pelicans, opossums, dowitcher, dragonflies, crawfrogs, crayfish, minks, skinks, newts, coots, and much more.

But, as the authors remind us, wetlands are not just primary breeding sights and stopovers for hundreds of species--they also provide important services for the state's human population as well. They supply water, help with flood control, and serve as purifying filters for larger bodies of water. Often near sources of drinkable water, wetlands trap silt, sediments, pesticides, pollutants, and toxins that would otherwise flow into streams, rivers, and lakes.

Gorgeous to look at, Kansas Wetlands is also a timely call to preserve this important part of the state's natural heritage.

"A fresh look at the wet side of the Kansas landscape. Roll up your pant legs and wade in."--Rex Buchanan, coauthor of Roadside Kansas: A Traveler's Guide to Its Geology and Landmarks

JOSEPH T. COLLINS is author or coauthor of numerous books, including An Illustrated Guide to Endangered or Threatened Species in Kansas, Kansas Wildlife, Amphibians and Reptiles in Kansas, Natural Kansas, and the Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America.

SUZANNE L. COLLINS is a wildlife photographer whose works have appeared in numerous books and magazines.

BOB GRESS is director of Wichita Wild and coauthor of Watching Kansas Wildlife.

All three are coauthors of Kansas Wildlife.

Publication of Kansas Wetlands has been made possible in part by a grant from Western Resources.