An essential illustrated guide to the prairies, forests, farms, and waterways that define the American Heartland.

In Heartland Ecology: Exploring Prairies, Woods, Farms, and Waters, ecologists Helen M. Alexander and W. Dean Kettle invite readers to discover the remarkable landscapes of central North America, where eastern forests meet the vast prairie plains in one of the continent's most ecologically rich and dynamic regions.

Spanning an ecologically similar region that includes southern Minnesota, eastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, northeastern Oklahoma, western and northern Missouri, and nearly all of Iowa?with insights relevant eastward into Ohio?this accessible and visually rich guide explores the natural history, geology, climate, and living ecosystems that have shaped the Heartland for thousands of years.

Blending scientific insight with an engaging, reader-friendly approach, the book first introduces basic geological and climate features of the region and provides a history of the landscape. Next, the authors examine five defining environments of the midcontinent region: tallgrass prairies, woodlands and forests, croplands, planted grasslands, and aquatic ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of how these landscapes are interconnected, how humans have transformed them, and why their preservation matters today.

Featuring photographs, detailed maps, and over a hundred stunning botanical illustrations by Linda A. Forbess, Heartland Ecology also serves as a practical field guide for nature lovers, teachers and students, conservation professionals, farmers and ranchers, and anyone eager to explore the region firsthand.

Perfect for both dedicated naturalists and curious newcomers, Heartland Ecology reveals the beauty, complexity, and ecological importance of an often-overlooked region at the heart of America.