Minnesota's Natural Heritage

John R. Tester (1929–2019) was emeritus professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior at the University of Minnesota. He was a lifelong scientist and naturalist who witnessed many changes to Minnesota’s ecosystems. He published numerous articles and research papers on wildlife and ecosystem ecology. Susan M. Galatowitsch is professor and head of the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota. She is author of Ecological Restoration and Restoring Prairie Wetlands: An Ecological Approach. She and her research team focus on wetland and grassland restoration and invasive species management.Rebecca A. Montgomery is a professor in the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota. She started her career as a tropical biologist before returning to Minnesota. Her research focuses on forest ecology and tree biology.John J. Moriarty is senior manager of wildlife for Three Rivers Park District. He was a natural resources manager for Ramsey County Parks and Hennepin Parks, as well as a community faculty member at Metropolitan State University. He has written five books on Minnesota natural history, including Amphibians and Reptiles in Minnesota (Minnesota, 2014) and A Field Guide to the Natural World of the Twin Cities (Minnesota, 2018).

"Anyone with a deep affection for Minnesota’s natural resources, highly seasonal and variable climate, diverse ecosystems, and beautiful landscapes should read the second edition of Minnesota’s Natural Heritage. This book chronicles the evolution of our state’s natural systems and the challenges of sustainably managing them in the context of climate change. It should be part of every home reference library."-Mark Seeley, author of Minnesota Weather Almanac"This second edition of Minnesota's Natural Heritage is just as engaging as the first and is supported with beautiful photos, illustrations, and graphs. But now readers learn of new and serious threats facing Minnesota’s prairies, forests, and waters. Will we restore and protect this natural legacy for future generations? For anyone who cares about nature, this book is a must read."-Peggy Ladner, former director, The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota"Dr. Tester was my favorite professor at the University of Minnesota. I bought his book’s first edition immediately when it came out, and I have waited with anticipation for the update. It does not disappoint. His immense knowledge of ecology and of Minnesota are in full display and in a voice that everyone can understand. Outstanding!"-Tom Landwehr, executive director, Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters"John R. Tester and colleagues’ new edition inspires Minnesotans-and others who appreciate this great state-with information about our precious natural resources, including ways to protect and restore them from long-standing environmental problems and new challenges such as climate change. The book explores each of the biomes in Minnesota, listing the species and ecology one can find there and the ways we can work to restore its glory."-Jessica Hellmann, director, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota"Well organized and infused with amazing photographs of the landscape and wildlife that makes this area so special."-Rochester Post-Bulletin "With lovely photos, illustrations, and tables of information, this is a great book for the cabin owner or traveling summer cabin user to enjoy whether checking a specific topic or settling down with a long read."-Ely Echo"The book takes definitive looks at our landscape, climate and weather, forests, prairie, wet-lands, lakes, streams and rivers. It concludes with important comment on the future of this marvelous state, and how we should care for it."-Star Tribune

• ContentsPreface to the Second EditionPreface to the First EditionAcknowledgments1. The LandscapeGeologic HistoryChanging Landscapes Since GlaciationThe Present Landscape2. Climate and WeatherSolar RadiationTemperaturePrecipitationCloudsWindObserved Climate Change3. Principles of EcologyEnvironmentEcosystem Structure and FunctionPopulations and Communities4. Deciduous ForestDeciduous Forest EcologyAnimals and Community InteractionsForest Management and Conservation in Minnesota5. Northern Coniferous ForestNorthern Coniferous Forest EcologyAnimals and Community InteractionsPresent Status of the Northern Coniferous Forest6. Tallgrass PrairiePrairie Forest BorderTallgrass Prairie EcologyAnimals and Community InteractionsPresent Status of the Tallgrass Prairie7. WetlandsPrairie WetlandsAnimals and Community Interactions in Prairie WetlandsPeatlandsAnimals and Community Interactions in PeatlandsOther Wetlands Occurring in MinnesotaPresent Status of Wetlands8. LakesFormation and DistributionPhysical and Chemical CharacteristicsLake CommunitiesEcosystem FunctionAnimals and Community InteractionsMinnesota’s LakesPresent Status of Minnesota’s Lakes9. Streams and RiversOrigins of Streams and RiversPhysical and Chemical CharacteristicsStream CommunitiesEcosystem FunctionRiver Continuum ConceptAnimals and Community InteractionsMinnesota’s Streams and RiversPresent Status of Minnesota’s Streams and Rivers10. The FutureStemming Habitat LossFeeding a Growing Human Population SustainablyAdapting to a Changing ClimateReversing the Spread of Invasive SpeciesReducing Damaging Chemicals in the EnvironmentRecovering Threatened Species PopulationsPlanning Statewide Conservation ActionRestoring EcosystemsA Perspective to Live WithAppendixesA. Counties and Major Rivers in MinnesotaB. Trees and Shrubs Found in MinnesotaC. Common Herbs Found in MinnesotaD. Mammals Found in MinnesotaE. Birds Breeding in MinnesotaF. Amphibians and Reptiles Found in MinnesotaG. Fishes Found in MinnesotaH. Metric Equivalents of English Weights and MeasuresLiterature CitedPermissionsIndex