Wetlands of the American Midwest : a historical geography of changing attitudes / Hugh Prince.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Prince, Hugh C.

Series:

University of Chicago geography research paper ; no. 241.

University of Chicago geography research paper ; no. 241

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Wetlands--Middle West.

Wetlands.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (416 pages) : illustrations, maps

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1997.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

How people perceive wetlands has always played a crucial role in determining how people act toward them. In this readable and objective account, Hugh Prince examines literary evidence as well as government and scientific documents to uncover the history of changing attitudes toward wetlands in the American Midwest. As attitudes changed, so did scientific research agendas, government policies, and farmers' strategies for managing their land. Originally viewed as bountiful sources of wildlife by indigenous peoples, wet areas called "wet prairies," "swamps," or "bogs" in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were considered productive only when drained for agricultural use. Beginning in the 1950's, many came to see these renamed "wetlands" as valuable for wildlife and soil conservation. Prince's book will appeal to a wide readership, ranging from geographers and environmental historians to the many government and private agencies and individuals concerned with wetland research, management, and preservation.

Contents:

Front matter

CONTENTS

List of figures

List of tables

Preface

1. Changing Attitudes

2. Physical Characteristics of Wet Prairies and Bogs

3. Native American Occupation

4. Early Nineteenth-century Views of Wetlands

5. Landowners, Cattlemen, Railroads, and Tenants on Wet Prairies

6. Draining and Agricultural Change on Wet Prairies

7. Occupying, Draining, and Abandoning Northern Bogs and Swamps

8. Utilizing and Conserving Wet Prairies since 1930

9. Changing Wetland Images and Values

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based upon print version of record.

ISBN:

9786611430641

9781281430649

1281430641

9780226682808

0226682803

OCLC:

476229944