This invaluable, all-purpose field guide covers the North Woods of the upper Midwest, a region encompassing a wide range of forests, innumerable small lakes and river systems, and most of the Great Lakes themselves. This "transitional forest" where Canadian evergreens mingle with Eastern deciduous trees, exhibits a variety of natural communities unlike those found anywhere else in the United States. The authors begin with a detailed geological history of the region, showing how the land was formed and how the last ice Age sculpted it. They then describe the nine typical plant communities of the North Woods, and detail the region's abundant wildlife according to characteristic habitat and ecological role within the overall community. A guide to public lands provides advice for recreationists and vacationers who wish to enjoy the millions of acres of parklands in the North Woods. For hiker or fisherman, camper, skier, or canoer, this is the most comprehensive and informative field guide to the fascinating North Woods region. - Cover.