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A Natural History of Transition: Exploring Change Across Life's Tapestry
Author: Dr. Evelyn Reed, PhD (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University), Research Associate, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Dr. Reed has over two decades of experience studying ecological transitions and the impacts of environmental change on biodiversity.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP). OUP is a renowned academic publisher with a long history of producing high-quality scholarly works across a wide range of disciplines, known for its rigorous editorial process and global reach.
Editor: Professor Alistair Finch, PhD (Evolutionary Biology, University of Cambridge). Professor Finch is a leading expert in evolutionary dynamics and has authored several influential books on adaptation and speciation.
Keywords: a natural history of transition, ecological transitions, evolutionary transitions, biological change, environmental change, adaptation, resilience, biodiversity, speciation, extinction
Introduction: Charting the Course of Change - A Natural History of Transition
“A natural history of transition” encompasses the vast and intricate story of change throughout the history of life on Earth. It's not simply about the grand sweep of evolutionary history, marked by mass extinctions and the rise of new clades, but also the subtle, continuous shifts within and between ecosystems, populations, and individual organisms. This exploration delves into the mechanisms, patterns, and consequences of these transitions, revealing how life adapts, responds, and ultimately, shapes its own trajectory. Understanding a natural history of transition is crucial for predicting the future of biodiversity in the face of unprecedented environmental change.
1. Transitions at the Evolutionary Scale: Macroevolutionary Shifts
A significant portion of a natural history of transition focuses on macroevolutionary events – the large-scale changes that reshape the tree of life. These include the origin of major taxonomic groups (e.g., the Cambrian explosion), adaptive radiations following mass extinctions (e.g., the diversification of mammals after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction), and the emergence of novel adaptations (e.g., the evolution of flight in birds or photosynthesis in plants). Studying these transitions requires an interdisciplinary approach, combining paleontology, molecular biology, and phylogenetics to reconstruct evolutionary pathways and identify the selective pressures driving change. This involves analyzing fossil records, genomic data, and comparative anatomy to uncover the historical context and mechanisms underlying these monumental shifts. A key aspect of understanding these macroevolutionary transitions is appreciating the role of contingency – the unpredictable nature of evolutionary pathways, where seemingly small events can have profound consequences.
2. Ecological Transitions: Shifts in Ecosystem Dynamics
A natural history of transition also examines ecological transitions, the changes in the structure, function, and composition of ecosystems. These transitions can be gradual, such as the successional changes in a forest after a disturbance, or abrupt, such as the collapse of a coral reef due to coral bleaching. Understanding these transitions requires analyzing the complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors, including species interactions, climate change, and human impacts. Ecological transitions often involve shifts in dominant species, changes in nutrient cycling, and alterations in ecosystem services. A crucial aspect of studying ecological transitions is assessing their resilience – the ability of an ecosystem to recover from a disturbance.
3. Transitions at the Population Level: Adaptation and Speciation
At the population level, a natural history of transition manifests in adaptations to changing environmental conditions. Natural selection acts upon genetic variation within populations, favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction in the new environment. This can lead to the evolution of new species through processes like allopatric speciation (geographic isolation) or sympatric speciation (speciation within the same geographic area). Studying these population-level transitions requires examining the genetic basis of adaptation, the role of gene flow, and the influence of random genetic drift. Investigating the mechanisms of adaptation, particularly in rapidly changing environments, is crucial for understanding how populations respond to environmental challenges.
4. Individual Life History Transitions: Development and Aging
A natural history of transition is not solely confined to macroevolutionary and ecological scales; it also encompasses the transitions experienced by individual organisms throughout their lifecycles. These transitions, ranging from embryonic development to senescence, are governed by complex genetic programs and environmental influences. Understanding these life history transitions is vital for comprehending the evolution of life cycles and the trade-offs between different life history strategies. Studying how organisms cope with different phases of life provides further insight into adaptation, resilience, and the overall trajectory of life.
5. The Role of Environmental Change in Driving Transitions
A pervasive theme throughout a natural history of transition is the role of environmental change. Climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution are just a few of the factors that can dramatically alter evolutionary trajectories and ecological dynamics. Understanding the impacts of environmental change on biodiversity is critical for conservation efforts. Analyzing how organisms adapt to these changing conditions, as well as the consequences of maladaptation, is vital for predicting the future of life on Earth. A central aspect of this research is forecasting the potential for species extinctions and ecosystem collapse under different climate change scenarios.
6. Human Impacts and the Anthropocene Transition
The current geological epoch, the Anthropocene, marks a period of unprecedented human impact on the planet. Human activities are driving rapid ecological transitions, altering the course of evolution, and accelerating extinction rates. Understanding the impacts of human activities on a natural history of transition necessitates analyzing the multifaceted ways in which humans are modifying ecosystems, including habitat fragmentation, introduction of invasive species, and climate change. It also involves developing strategies for mitigating these impacts and promoting biodiversity conservation.
7. Predicting Future Transitions: Modeling and Forecasting
Predicting future transitions is a significant challenge in the study of a natural history of transition. This requires developing sophisticated models that integrate ecological, evolutionary, and environmental data. These models can help us forecast the potential impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and other environmental stressors on biodiversity. They also allow us to evaluate the efficacy of conservation strategies and inform management decisions. The accuracy of these predictions depends on our ability to collect high-quality data and develop robust models that capture the complexities of ecological and evolutionary processes.
Conclusion: A Dynamic Tapestry of Change
A natural history of transition paints a dynamic picture of life on Earth, characterized by continuous change at multiple levels of biological organization. Understanding the mechanisms, patterns, and consequences of these transitions is crucial for addressing the challenges of biodiversity conservation in the face of unprecedented environmental change. By integrating insights from diverse disciplines, we can gain a deeper understanding of how life has adapted, responded, and shaped its own course throughout history, informing our efforts to safeguard the future of biodiversity on our planet.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between macroevolution and microevolution in the context of a natural history of transition? Macroevolution refers to large-scale evolutionary changes above the species level, while microevolution focuses on changes within populations. Both are integral parts of a natural history of transition.
2. How do ecological transitions affect biodiversity? Ecological transitions can lead to both increases and decreases in biodiversity, depending on the nature of the transition and the resilience of the species involved.
3. What role does climate change play in a natural history of transition? Climate change is a major driver of ecological and evolutionary transitions, forcing species to adapt, migrate, or face extinction.
4. How can we predict future transitions more accurately? Improved data collection, more sophisticated models, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for enhancing predictive capabilities.
5. What are the ethical implications of studying a natural history of transition? Understanding transitions informs conservation strategies, raising ethical questions about our responsibility to protect biodiversity.
6. How does a natural history of transition inform conservation efforts? By understanding the drivers and consequences of transitions, we can develop more effective conservation strategies.
7. What are the limitations of current models in predicting future transitions? Current models often simplify complex systems, neglecting unforeseen interactions and feedback loops.
8. What is the role of human activity in shaping a natural history of transition in the Anthropocene? Human activity is the dominant force driving transitions in the Anthropocene, resulting in unprecedented biodiversity loss and ecosystem change.
9. How does the study of individual life history transitions contribute to the broader understanding of a natural history of transition? Understanding individual transitions provides insights into the evolutionary and ecological processes that operate across larger scales.
Related Articles:
1. The Cambrian Explosion: A Paradigm Shift in Evolutionary History: This article explores the rapid diversification of life during the Cambrian period, a pivotal moment in a natural history of transition.
2. Mass Extinctions and the Restructuring of Ecosystems: This article examines the impact of mass extinctions on biodiversity and the subsequent ecological transitions that follow.
3. Adaptive Radiation: The Dynamics of Evolutionary Diversification: This article focuses on the rapid diversification of species following a colonization event or a major environmental change, a key aspect of a natural history of transition.
4. Island Biogeography and Evolutionary Change: This article explores how isolation on islands drives unique evolutionary pathways, highlighting a specific type of transition.
5. The Evolution of Cooperation: A Natural History of Altruism: This article examines the evolution of cooperative behaviors, a crucial transition in social evolution.
6. The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity: A Case Study of Coral Reefs: This article explores how climate change is driving ecological transitions in coral reef ecosystems.
7. The Genetics of Adaptation: Understanding the Mechanisms of Evolutionary Change: This article delves into the genetic basis of adaptation, a fundamental aspect of a natural history of transition.
8. Conservation Biology and the Challenge of Preserving Biodiversity: This article examines the role of conservation biology in mitigating the negative impacts of transitions on biodiversity.
9. Predictive Modeling in Ecology: Forecasting Future Ecosystem Changes: This article explores the use of predictive modeling to forecast ecological transitions under different scenarios.
| a natural history of transition: A Natural History of Transition Callum Angus, 2021-04-27 Fiction. Short Stories. LGBTQIA Studies. A NATURAL HISTORY OF TRANSITION is a collection of short stories that disrupts the notion that trans people can only have one transformation. Like the landscape studied over eons, change does not have an expiration date for these trans characters, who grow as tall as buildings, turn into mountains, unravel hometown mysteries, and give birth to cocoons. Portland-based author Callum Angus infuses his work with a mix of alternative history, horror, and a reality heavily dosed with magic. Callum Angus is one of the younger writers I'm most excited by, with a mind full of marvels and an ear to match. Every story surprises; every sentence strives gorgeously toward music. This is writing as transition, as entrancement, as transcendence.--Garth Greenwell |
| a natural history of transition: Energy Transitions Vaclav Smil, 2010-05-26 This bold and controversial argument shows why energy transitions are inherently complex and prolonged affairs, and how ignoring this fact raises unrealistic expectations that the United States and other global economies can be weaned quickly from a primary dependency on fossil fuels. Energy transitions are fundamental processes behind the evolution of human societies: they both drive and are driven by technical, economic, and social changes. In a bold and provocative argument, Energy Transitions: History, Requirements, Prospects describes the history of modern society's dependence on fossil fuels and the prospects for the transition to a nonfossil world. Vaclav Smil, who has published more on various aspects of energy than any working scientist, makes it clear that this transition will not be accomplished easily, and that it cannot be accomplished within the timetables established by the Obama administration. The book begins with a survey of the basic properties of modern energy systems. It then offers detailed explanations of universal patterns of energy transitions, the peculiarities of changing energy use in the world's leading economies, and the coming shifts from fossil fuels to renewable conversions. Specific cases of these transitions are analyzed for eight of the world's leading energy consumers. The author closes with perspectives on the nature and pace of the coming energy transition to renewable conversions. |
| a natural history of transition: Solid States Michael Bell, Craig Buckley, 2010-12 DVD features highlights from the conference held at Columbia University. |
| a natural history of transition: Behavioral Ecology and the Transition to Agriculture Douglas J. Kennett, Bruce Winterhalder, 2006-01-02 For the newcomer to the literature and logic of human behavioral ecology, this book is a flat-out bonanza—entirely accessible, self-critical, largely free of polemic, and, above all, stimulating beyond measure. It's an extraordinary contribution. Our understanding of the foraging-farming dynamic may just have changed forever.—David Hurst Thomas, American Museum of Natural History |
| a natural history of transition: Becoming a Man P. Carl, 2021-01-26 A “scrupulously honest” (O, The Oprah Magazine) debut memoir that explores one man’s gender transition amid a pivotal political moment in America. Becoming a Man is a “moving narrative [that] illuminates the joy, courage, necessity, and risk-taking of gender transition” (Kirkus Reviews). For fifty years P. Carl lived as a girl and then as a queer woman, building a career, a life, and a loving marriage, yet still waiting to realize himself in full. As Carl embarks on his gender transition, he takes us inside the complex shifts and questions that arise throughout—the alternating moments of arrival and estrangement. He writes intimately about how transitioning reconfigures both his own inner experience and his closest bonds—his twenty-year relationship with his wife, Lynette; his already tumultuous relationships with his parents; and seemingly solid friendships that are subtly altered, often painfully and wordlessly. Carl “has written a poignant and candid self-appraisal of life as a ‘work-of-progress’” (Booklist) and blends the remarkable story of his own personal journey with incisive cultural commentary, writing beautifully about gender, power, and inequality in America. His transition occurs amid the rise of the Trump administration and the #MeToo movement—a transition point in America’s own story, when transphobia and toxic masculinity are under fire even as they thrive in the highest halls of power. Carl’s quest to become himself and to reckon with his masculinity mirrors, in many ways, the challenge before the country as a whole, to imagine a society where every member can have a vibrant, livable life. Here, through this brave and deeply personal work, Carl brings an unparalleled new voice to this conversation. |
| a natural history of transition: Late Migrations Margaret Renkl, 2019-07-09 From the New York Times columnist, a portrait of a family and the cycles of joy and grief that mark the natural world: “Has the makings of an American classic.” —Ann Patchett Growing up in Alabama, Margaret Renkl was a devoted reader, an explorer of riverbeds and red-dirt roads, and a fiercely loved daughter. Here, in brief essays, she traces a tender and honest portrait of her complicated parents—her exuberant, creative mother; her steady, supportive father—and of the bittersweet moments that accompany a child’s transition to caregiver. And here, braided into the overall narrative, Renkl offers observations on the world surrounding her suburban Nashville home. Ringing with rapture and heartache, these essays convey the dignity of bluebirds and rat snakes, monarch butterflies and native bees. As these two threads haunt and harmonize with each other, Renkl suggests that there is astonishment to be found in common things: in what seems ordinary, in what we all share. For in both worlds—the natural one and our own—“the shadow side of love is always loss, and grief is only love’s own twin.” Gorgeously illustrated by the author’s brother, Billy Renkl, Late Migrations is an assured and memorable debut. “Magnificent . . . Readers will savor each page and the many gems of wisdom they contain.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) |
| a natural history of transition: The Great Transition: Shifting from Fossil Fuels to Solar and Wind Energy Lester R. Brown, 2015-04-20 The great energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy is under way. As oil insecurity deepens, the extraction risks of fossil fuels rise, and concerns about climate instability cast a shadow over the future of coal, a new world energy economy is emerging. The old economy, fueled by oil, natural gas, and coal is being replaced with one powered by wind, solar, and geothermal energy. The Great Transition details the accelerating pace of this global energy revolution. As many countries become less enamored with coal and nuclear power, they are embracing an array of clean, renewable energies. Whereas solar energy projects were once small-scale, largely designed for residential use, energy investors are now building utility-scale solar projects. Strides are being made: some of the huge wind farm complexes under construction in China will each produce as much electricity as several nuclear power plants, and an electrified transport system supplemented by the use of bicycles could reshape the way we think about mobility. |
| a natural history of transition: Women and Transition Linda Rossetti, 2015-11-05 In a recent study, ninety percent of women stated that they 'expect to transition' within the next five years. Rather than be frustrated, Rosetti argues that with thought and some elbow grease, transition is not only healthy but rewarding. Women and Transition is a step-by-step how-to guide that every woman can learn from. |
| a natural history of transition: The Politics of Transition Richard Spitz, Matthew Chaskalson, 2000 During the early 1990s, South Africans kept a close eye on the media coverage of South Africa's negotiated transition to democracy. Likened to a soap opera by some, the negotiations featured violent interlopers, dramatic walkouts, alliances and, somehow, a fortunate conclusion in the form of the Interim Constitution and Bill of Rights. The importance of the negotiating process and the Interim Constitution itself should not be underestimated, however, in relation to their longer-term influence over the form of democracy currently enjoyed in South Africa. In this brave publication, Spitz and Chaskalson examine the politics behind the Kempton Park negotiations and the Interim Constitution, and the influence that these have had on the subsequent consolidation of a South African democracy. |
| a natural history of transition: The Major Transitions in Evolution John Maynard Smith, Eörs Szathmáry, 1997-10-30 During evolution there have been several major changes in the way genetic information is organized and transmitted from one generation to the next. These transitions include the origin of life itself, the first eukaryotic cells, reproduction by sexual means, the appearance of multicellular plants and animals, the emergence of cooperation and of animal societies. This is the first book to discuss all these major transitions and their implications for our understanding of evolution.Clearly written and illustrated with many original diagrams, this book will be welcomed by students and researchers in the fields of evolutionary biology, ecology, and genetics. |
| a natural history of transition: Rethinking Normal Katie Rain Hill, Ariel Schrag, 2014-09-30 In this Young Adult memoir, a transgender girl shares her personal journey of growing up as a boy and then undergoing gender reassignment during her teens-- |
| a natural history of transition: Rain Cynthia Barnett, 2016-04-05 Rain is elemental, mysterious, precious, destructive. It is the subject of countless poems and paintings; the top of the weather report; the source of the world's water. Yet this is the first book to tell the story of rain. Cynthia Barnett's Rain begins four billion years ago with the torrents that filled the oceans, and builds to the storms of climate change. It weaves together science—the true shape of a raindrop, the mysteries of frog and fish rains—with the human story of our ambition to control rain, from ancient rain dances to the 2,203 miles of levees that attempt to straitjacket the Mississippi River. It offers a glimpse of our founding forecaster, Thomas Jefferson, who measured every drizzle long before modern meteorology. Two centuries later, rainy skies would help inspire Morrissey’s mopes and Kurt Cobain’s grunge. Rain is also a travelogue, taking readers to Scotland to tell the surprising story of the mackintosh raincoat, and to India, where villagers extract the scent of rain from the monsoon-drenched earth and turn it into perfume. Now, after thousands of years spent praying for rain or worshiping it; burning witches at the stake to stop rain or sacrificing small children to bring it; mocking rain with irrigated agriculture and cities built in floodplains; even trying to blast rain out of the sky with mortars meant for war, humanity has finally managed to change the rain. Only not in ways we intended. As climate change upends rainfall patterns and unleashes increasingly severe storms and drought, Barnett shows rain to be a unifying force in a fractured world. Too much and not nearly enough, rain is a conversation we share, and this is a book for everyone who has ever experienced it. |
| a natural history of transition: A Natural History of the New World Alan Graham, 2011 A Natural History of the New World traces the evolution of plant ecosystems, beginning in the Late Cretaceous period and ending in the present, charting their responses to changes in geology and climate. |
| a natural history of transition: Revolutionary Power Shalanda Baker, 2021-01-14 In September 2017, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, completely upending the energy grid of the small island. The nearly year-long power outage that followed vividly shows how the new climate reality intersects with race and access to energy. The island is home to brown and black US citizens who lack the political power of those living in the continental US. As the world continues to warm and storms like Maria become more commonplace, it is critical that we rethink our current energy system to enable reliable, locally produced, and locally controlled energy without replicating the current structures of power and control. In Revolutionary Power, Shalanda Baker arms those made most vulnerable by our current energy system with the tools they need to remake the system in the service of their humanity. She argues that people of color, poor people, and indigenous people must engage in the creation of the new energy system in order to upend the unequal power dynamics of the current system. Revolutionary Power is a playbook for the energy transformation complete with a step-by-step analysis of the key energy policy areas that are ripe for intervention. Baker tells the stories of those who have been left behind in our current system and those who are working to be architects of a more just system. She draws from her experience as an energy-justice advocate, a lawyer, and a queer woman of color to inspire activists working to build our new energy system. Climate change will force us to rethink the way we generate and distribute energy and regulate the system. But how much are we willing to change the system? This unique moment in history provides an unprecedented opening for a deeper transformation of the energy system, and thus, an opportunity to transform society. Revolutionary Power shows us how. |
| a natural history of transition: The Great Transition B. M. S. Campbell, 2016-06-23 Major account of the fourteenth-century crisis which saw a series of famines, revolts and epidemics transform the medieval world. |
| a natural history of transition: The Transition Handbook Rob Hopkins, 2008-02-25 Move from feeling anxious about the oil crisis to developing a positive visions and taking traction action to create a more self-reliant existence with this ground-breaking book. We live in an oil-dependent world, and have become reliant in a very short space of time, using vast reserves of oil in the process – and without planning for when the supply is not so plentiful. Most of us avoid thinking about what happens when the oil runs out (or becomes prohibitively expensive), but the reality may not be as bad as we think. The Transition Handbook shows how the inevitable and profound changes ahead could have a positive effect. Written by permaculture expert Rob Hopkins, he discusses the possibility of a rebirth of local communities, which will generate their own fuel, food and housing. These will encourage the development of local currencies, to keep money in the local area, and unleash a local 'skilling-up', so that people have more control over their lives. The growth in interest in the Transition model continues to be exponential. There are now more than 35 formal Transition Initiatives in the UK, including towns, cities, islands, villages and peninsulas, with more joining as the idea takes off. With little proactivity at government level, communities are taking matters into their own hands and acting locally. If your community has not yet become a Transition Initiative, this upbeat guide, filled with beautiful black and white photographs, offers you the tools to get started. The Transition Handbook is the perfect manual to guide communities, as they begin this 'energy descent' journey. |
| a natural history of transition: Natural History of Intellect Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1893 |
| a natural history of transition: Science Museums in Transition Carin Berkowitz, Bernard Lightman, 2017-07-19 The nineteenth century witnessed a dramatic shift in the display and dissemination of natural knowledge across Britain and America, from private collections of miscellaneous artifacts and objects to public exhibitions and state-sponsored museums. The science museum as we know it—an institution of expert knowledge built to inform a lay public—was still very much in formation during this dynamic period. Science Museums in Transition provides a nuanced, comparative study of the diverse places and spaces in which science was displayed at a time when science and spectacle were still deeply intertwined; when leading naturalists, curators, and popular showmen were debating both how to display their knowledge and how and whether they should profit from scientific work; and when ideals of nationalism, class politics, and democracy were permeating the museum's walls. Contributors examine a constellation of people, spaces, display practices, experiences, and politics that worked not only to define the museum, but to shape public science and scientific knowledge. Taken together, the chapters in this volume span the Atlantic, exploring private and public museums, short and long-term exhibitions, and museums built for entertainment, education, and research, and in turn raise a host of important questions, about expertise, and about who speaks for nature and for history. |
| a natural history of transition: Energy and Civilization Vaclav Smil, 2018-11-13 A comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society throughout history, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization. I wait for new Smil books the way some people wait for the next 'Star Wars' movie. In his latest book, Energy and Civilization: A History, he goes deep and broad to explain how innovations in humans' ability to turn energy into heat, light, and motion have been a driving force behind our cultural and economic progress over the past 10,000 years. —Bill Gates, Gates Notes, Best Books of the Year Energy is the only universal currency; it is necessary for getting anything done. The conversion of energy on Earth ranges from terra-forming forces of plate tectonics to cumulative erosive effects of raindrops. Life on Earth depends on the photosynthetic conversion of solar energy into plant biomass. Humans have come to rely on many more energy flows—ranging from fossil fuels to photovoltaic generation of electricity—for their civilized existence. In this monumental history, Vaclav Smil provides a comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization. Humans are the only species that can systematically harness energies outside their bodies, using the power of their intellect and an enormous variety of artifacts—from the simplest tools to internal combustion engines and nuclear reactors. The epochal transition to fossil fuels affected everything: agriculture, industry, transportation, weapons, communication, economics, urbanization, quality of life, politics, and the environment. Smil describes humanity's energy eras in panoramic and interdisciplinary fashion, offering readers a magisterial overview. This book is an extensively updated and expanded version of Smil's Energy in World History (1994). Smil has incorporated an enormous amount of new material, reflecting the dramatic developments in energy studies over the last two decades and his own research over that time. |
| a natural history of transition: Total Transition Sandeep Pai, Savannah Carr-Wilson, 2018-10-23 Follow the journey of a Canadian and Indian couple, Savannah and Sandeep, as they travel the world to capture the human side of one of the biggest energy transitions of our times - the global shift from fossil fuels to renewables. In this exciting and provocative new book, readers are taken into the homes of the coal miners who live and work in Jharia, a town in India that has been on fire for the past 100 years due to poor coal mining practices. Life in Jharia is a version of Dante's inferno - 700,000 people live in the most unimaginable conditions. Yet even though residents of Jharia say they are dying slowly every day, they also say they'll never leave. Almost 11,000 kilometres away, in the Canadian oil sands, workers and indigenous people similarly describe their complex relationship with the industry that employs them. Although fossil fuel extraction is harming the environment and impacting people's way of life in the oil sands region, a much-needed shift to renewable energy could also leave communities without their livelihoods. Written in the form of a travelogue, Total Transition provides a whirlwind look at the global growth of renewable energy - highlighting exciting developments in solar and wind energy in Canada, India, Africa and Europe, and discussing hurdles standing in the way of a total transition. Energy experts and leaders of innovative renewable energy projects share hope and optimism about the future of fossil fuel workers and their communities in an increasingly renewable world. |
| a natural history of transition: Mannahatta Eric W. Sanderson, 2013-11-27 What did New York look like four centuries ago? An extraordinary reconstruction of a wild island from the forests of Times Square to the wetlands downtown. Named a Best Book of the Year by Library Journal, New York Magazine, and San Francisco Chronicle On September 12, 1609, Henry Hudson first set foot on the land that would become Manhattan. Today, it’s difficult to imagine what he saw, but for more than a decade, landscape ecologist Eric Sanderson has been working to do just that. Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City is the astounding result of those efforts, reconstructing in words and images the wild island that millions now call home. By geographically matching an eighteenth-century map with one of the modern city, examining volumes of historic documents, and collecting and analyzing scientific data, Sanderson re-creates topography, flora, and fauna from a time when actual wolves prowled far beyond Wall Street and the degree of biological diversity rivaled that of our most famous national parks. His lively text guides you through this abundant landscape—while breathtaking illustrations transport you back in time. Mannahatta is a groundbreaking work that provides not only a window into the past, but also inspiration for the future. “[A] wise and beautiful book, sure to enthrall anyone interested in NYC history.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “A cartographical detective tale . . . The fact-intense charts, maps and tables offered in abundance here are fascinating.” —The New York Times “[An] exuberantly written and beautifully illustrated exploration of pre-European Gotham.” —San Francisco Chronicle “You don’t have to be a New Yorker to be enthralled.” —Library Journal |
| a natural history of transition: Revolution Or Renaissance D. Paul Schafer, 2008-04-29 In Revolution or Renaissance, D. Paul Schafer subjects two of the most powerful forces in the world – economics and culture – to a detailed and historically sensitive analysis. He argues that the economic age has produced a great deal of wealth and unleashed tremendous productive power; however, it is not capable of coming to grips with the problems threatening human and non-human life on this planet. After tracing the evolution of the economic age from the publication of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations in 1776 to the present, he turns his attention to culture, examining it both as a concept and as a reality. What emerges is a portrait of the world system of the future where culture is the central focus of development. According to Schafer, making the transition from an economic age to a cultural age is imperative if global harmony, environmental sustainability, economic viability, and human well-being are to be achieved. |
| a natural history of transition: The Israeli Druze Community in Transition Randa Khair Abbas, Deborah Court, 2021-03-11 While there are books that describe the history and traditions of the Druze as an ethnic and religious group, this is the first and only academic book of its kind. It gives voice to the Israeli Druze, through in-depth interviews with 120 people, 60 young adults and 60 of their parents’ generation. How is this traditional group, bound together through the centuries by their secret religion and strong value system, dealing with modernization? What contradictions and continuity come to light in the stories of this people during a time of transition? Can their religion, and their very identity, survive the meeting with the modern, technological world? What resources do the young and the not-so-young bring to the task of preserving their community and helping it to flourish as the world changes around them? The people in this text answer these questions through the telling of their stories, in which they express their values, opinions, beliefs and aspirations. The book draws out theoretical, practical, religious and sociological implications from this analysis, in order to shed light on the challenges faced by other traditional societies meeting modernity. |
| a natural history of transition: Yellowstone's Wildlife in Transition P. J. White, 2013-04-01 The world's first national park is constantly changing. How we understand and respond to recent events putting species under stress will determine the future of ecosystems millions of years in the making. Marshaling expertise from over 30 contributors, Yellowstone's Wildlife in Transition examines three primary challenges to the park's ecology. |
| a natural history of transition: Life on Display Karen A. Rader, Victoria E.M. Cain, 2014-10-03 Rich with archival detail and compelling characters, Life on Display uses the history of biological exhibitions to analyze museums’ shifting roles in twentieth-century American science and society. Karen A. Rader and Victoria E. M. Cain chronicle profound changes in these exhibitions—and the institutions that housed them—between 1910 and 1990, ultimately offering new perspectives on the history of museums, science, and science education. Rader and Cain explain why science and natural history museums began to welcome new audiences between the 1900s and the 1920s and chronicle the turmoil that resulted from the introduction of new kinds of biological displays. They describe how these displays of life changed dramatically once again in the 1930s and 1940s, as museums negotiated changing, often conflicting interests of scientists, educators, and visitors. The authors then reveal how museum staffs, facing intense public and scientific scrutiny, experimented with wildly different definitions of life science and life science education from the 1950s through the 1980s. The book concludes with a discussion of the influence that corporate sponsorship and blockbuster economics wielded over science and natural history museums in the century’s last decades. A vivid, entertaining study of the ways science and natural history museums shaped and were shaped by understandings of science and public education in the twentieth-century United States, Life on Display will appeal to historians, sociologists, and ethnographers of American science and culture, as well as museum practitioners and general readers. |
| a natural history of transition: Safe Passage Kori Schake, 2017-11-27 History records only one peaceful transition of hegemonic power: the passage from British to American dominance of the international order. To explain why this transition was nonviolent, Kori Schake explores nine points of crisis between Britain and the U.S., from the Monroe Doctrine to the unequal “special relationship” during World War II. |
| a natural history of transition: Of Whales and Dinosaurs Kevin Y.L. Tan, 2015-04-18 Singapore's collection of Southeast Asian animals–one of the world's largest–dates back to the old Raffles Museum, officially established in 1878.With the opening of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in 2015, the original Raffles Museum has reincarnated and the loop on its remarkable 127-year history has closed. Beneath the sleek exterior of today's modern museum building lies a saga of titanic struggles and changes. That the collections survived at all–through the multiple challenges of the nineteenth century, the disruption of World War Two, and its potential disintegration in the face of Singapore's modernization–is nothing short of miraculous. This book is not only an institutional history of the museum but also tells the story of frustrations, commitment and courage of the numerous individuals who battled officialdom, innovated endlessly and overcame the odds to protect Singapore's natural history heritage. The book features 108 historical photographs and natural history illustrations printed in full colour throughout. |
| a natural history of transition: The Colonial Caribbean in Transition Bridget Brereton, Kevin A. Yelvington, 1999 This text is an examination of the social evolution of the colonial Caribbean, from the formal end of slavery to the middle of the 20th century. It focuses on social and ethnic groups, classes, gender interrelations, and the development of cultural and intellectual traditions. |
| a natural history of transition: A Natural History of the Future Rob Dunn, 2022-01-20 Over the past century, our species has made unprecedented technological innovations with which we have sought to control nature. In A Natural History of the Future, biologist Rob Dunn argues that such efforts are futile. We may see ourselves as life's overlords, but we are instead at its mercy. In the evolution of antibiotic resistance, the power of natural selection to create biodiversity, and even the surprising life of the London Underground, Dunn finds laws of life that no human activity can annul. When we create artificial islands of crops, dump toxic waste, or build communities, we provide new materials for old laws to shape. Life's future flourishing is not in question. Ours is. A Natural History of the Future sets a new standard for understanding the diversity and destiny of life itself. |
| a natural history of transition: Grand Transitions Vaclav Smil, 2021-02-12 From one of the world's leading experts on the history of energy, a rigorous examination of the transitions that structure our modern world--and the environmental reckoning that will mark its success or failure. What makes the modern world work? The answer to this deceptively simple question lies in four grand transitions of civilization--in populations, agriculture, energy, and economics--which have transformed the way we live. Societies that have undergone all four transitions emerge into an era of radically different population dynamics, food surpluses (and waste), abundant energy use, and expanding economic opportunities. Simultaneously, in other parts of the world, hundreds of millions remain largely untouched by these developments. Through erudite storytelling, Vaclav Smil investigates the fascinating and complex interactions of these transitions. He argues that the moral imperative to share modernity's benefits has become more acute with increasing economic inequality, but addressing this imbalance would make it exceedingly difficult to implement the changes necessary for the long-term preservation of the environment. Thus, managing the fifth transition--environmental changes from natural-resource depletion, biodiversity loss, and global warming--will determine the success or eventual failure of the grand transitions that have made the world we live in today. |
| a natural history of transition: The Transition Companion Robert Hopkins, 2011 In 2008, the best selling The Transition Handbook suggested a model for a community-led response to peak oil and climate change. Since then, the Transition idea has gone viral across the globe, from universities and London neighbourhoods to Italian villages and Brazilian favelas. In contrast to the ever-worsening stream of information about climate change, the economy and resource depletion, Transition focuses on solutions, on community-scale projects and on positive results. The Transition Companion picks up the story today, describing one of the most fascinating experiments now under way in the world. It shows how communities are working for a future where local enterprises are valued and nurtured; where lower energy use is seen as a benefit; and where cooperation, creativity and the building of resilience are the cornerstones of a new economy. The first part discusses where we are now in terms of resilience to the problems of rising oil prices, climate change and economic uncertainty. It presents a vision of how the future might look if we succeed in addressing these issues. The book then looks in detail at the process a community in transition goes through, drawing on the experience of those who have already embarked on this journey. These examples show how much can be achieved when people harness energy and imagination to create projects that will make their communities more resilient. The Transition Companion combines practical advice; the tools needed to start and maintain a Transition initiative; with numerous inspiring stories from local groups worldwide. |
| a natural history of transition: Curators Lance Grande, 2017-03-21 Natural history museums have evolved from being little more than musty repositories of stuffed animals and pinned bugs, to being crucial generators of new scientific knowledge. They have also become vibrant educational centers, full of engaging exhibits that share those discoveries with students and an enthusiastic general public. Grande offers a portrait of curators and their research, conveying the intellectual excitement and the educational and social value of curation. He uses the personal story of his own career-- most of it spent at Chicago's Field Museum-- to explore the value of research and collections, the importance of public engagement, changing ecological and ethical considerations, and the impact of rapidly improving technology. |
| a natural history of transition: The Journey from Abandonment to Healing Susan Anderson, 2000-03-01 Like Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's groundbreaking On Death and Dying, Susan Anderson's book clearly defines the five phases of a different kind of grieving--grieving over a lost relationship. An experienced professional who has specialized in helping people with loss, heartbreak, and abandonment for more than two decades, Susan Anderson gives this subject the serious attention it deserves. The Journey From Abandonment to Healing is designed to help all victims of emotional breakups--whether they are suffering from a recent loss, or a lingering wound from the past; whether they are caught up in patterns that sabotage their own relationships, or they're in a relationship where they no longer feel loved. From the first stunning blow to starting over, it provides a complete program for abandonment recovery. |
| a natural history of transition: Key Transitions in Animal Evolution Rob Desalle, Bernd Schierwater, 2010-12-07 Tackling one of the most difficult and delicate of the evolutionary questions, this challenging book summarizes the more recent results in phylogenetics and developmental biology that address the evolution of key innovations in metazoans. Divided into three sections, the first considers the phylogenetic issues involving this area of the tree of lif |
| a natural history of transition: Transition Chaz Bono, Billie Fitzpatrick, 2011-05-10 Chaz Bono's groundbreaking and candid account of a forty-year struggle to match his gender identity with his physical body and his transformation from female to male At first, America knew the only child of Sonny and Cher as Chastity, the cherubic little girl who appeared on her parents' TV show. In later years, she became famous for coming out on a national stage, working with two major organizations toward LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) rights and publishing two books. And just within the past eighteen months, Chaz Bono has entered the public consciousness as the most high-profile transgender person ever. All through the hoopla surrounding his change, Chaz has insisted on maintaining his privacy. Now, in Transition, Chaz finally tells his story. Part One traces his decision to transition, beginning in his childhood-when he played on the boys' teams and wore boys' clothing whenever possible-and going through his painful, but ultimately joyful, coming out in his twenties, up to 2008, when, after the death of his father, drug addiction, and five years of sobriety, Chaz was finally ready to begin the process of changing his gender. In Part Two, he offers an unprecedented record in words and photographs of the actual transition, a real-time diary as he navigates uncharted waters. These chapters capture the day-to-day momentum of his life as his body changes. Throughout the book, Chaz touches on themes of identity, gender, and sexuality; parents and children; and how harboring secrets shatters the soul. It is an amazing contribution to our understanding of a much- misunderstood community. Listen to an Interview |
| a natural history of transition: Origin Story David Christian, 2018-05-22 This New York Times bestseller elegantly weaves evidence and insights . . . into a single, accessible historical narrative (Bill Gates) and presents a captivating history of the universe -- from the Big Bang to dinosaurs to mass globalization and beyond. Most historians study the smallest slivers of time, emphasizing specific dates, individuals, and documents. But what would it look like to study the whole of history, from the big bang through the present day -- and even into the remote future? How would looking at the full span of time change the way we perceive the universe, the earth, and our very existence? These were the questions David Christian set out to answer when he created the field of Big History, the most exciting new approach to understanding where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. In Origin Story, Christian takes readers on a wild ride through the entire 13.8 billion years we've come to know as history. By focusing on defining events (thresholds), major trends, and profound questions about our origins, Christian exposes the hidden threads that tie everything together -- from the creation of the planet to the advent of agriculture, nuclear war, and beyond. With stunning insights into the origin of the universe, the beginning of life, the emergence of humans, and what the future might bring, Origin Story boldly reframes our place in the cosmos. |
| a natural history of transition: Red Jacky Colliss Harvey, 2015-06-09 Red is a brilliantly told, captivating history of red hair throughout the ages. A book that breaks new ground, dispels myths, and reinforces the special nature of being a redhead, with a look at multiple disciplines, including science, religion, politics, feminism and sexuality, literature, and art. With an obsessive fascination that is as contagious as it is compelling, author Jacky Colliss Harvey (herself a redhead) begins her exploration of red hair in prehistory and traces the redhead gene as it made its way out of Africa with the early human diaspora to its emergence under Northern skies. She goes on to explore red hair in the ancient world; the prejudice manifested against red hair across medieval Europe; red hair during the Renaissance as both an indicator of Jewishness during the Inquisition and the height of fashion in Protestant England, under the reign of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I; the modern age of art and literature, and the first positive symbols of red hair in children's characters; modern medicine and science and the genetic and chemical decoding of red hair; and finally, red hair in contemporary culture, from advertising and exploitation to gingerism and the new movement against bullying. |
| a natural history of transition: Major Transitions in Vertebrate Evolution Jason S. Anderson, Hans-Dieter Sues, 2007-09-11 New discoveries of ancient vertebrates, filling in gaps in the fossil record, are quickly eroding the traditionally recognized differences between the principal groups of vertebrates—for example, between dinosaurs and birds—and radically changing our understanding of the evolutionary history of the major group of animals to which our species belongs. This book describes this changing scientific landscape and contributes to the revolution in our knowledge of the developmental mechanisms that underlie evolutionary transformation. |
| a natural history of transition: Toward a Natural Forest Jim Furnish, 2015 The Forest Service stumbled in responding to a wave of lawsuits from environmental groups in the late 20th Century--a phenomenon best symbolized by the spotted owl controversy that shut down logging on public forests in the Pacific Northwest in the 1990s. The agency was brought to its knees, pitted between a powerful timber industry that had been having its way with the national forests for decades, and organized environmentalists who believed public lands had been abused and deserved better stewardship. Toward a Natural Forest offers an insider's view of this tumultuous time in the history of the Forest Service, presenting twin tales of transformation, both within the agency and within the author's evolving environmental consciousness. Drawing on the author's personal experience and his broad professional knowledge, Toward a Natural Forest illuminates the potential of the Forest Service to provide strong leadership in global conservation efforts. Those interested in our public lands--environmentalists, natural resource professionals, academics, and historians--will find Jim Furnish's story deeply informed, thought-provoking, and ultimately inspiring. |
| a natural history of transition: Cannibalism Bill Schutt, 2018-01-30 “Surprising. Impressive. Cannibalism restores my faith in humanity.” —Sy Montgomery, The New York Times Book Review For centuries scientists have written off cannibalism as a bizarre phenomenon with little biological significance. Its presence in nature was dismissed as a desperate response to starvation or other life-threatening circumstances, and few spent time studying it. A taboo subject in our culture, the behavior was portrayed mostly through horror movies or tabloids sensationalizing the crimes of real-life flesh-eaters. But the true nature of cannibalism--the role it plays in evolution as well as human history--is even more intriguing (and more normal) than the misconceptions we’ve come to accept as fact. In Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History,zoologist Bill Schutt sets the record straight, debunking common myths and investigating our new understanding of cannibalism’s role in biology, anthropology, and history in the most fascinating account yet written on this complex topic. Schutt takes readers from Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains, where he wades through ponds full of tadpoles devouring their siblings, to the Sierra Nevadas, where he joins researchers who are shedding new light on what happened to the Donner Party--the most infamous episode of cannibalism in American history. He even meets with an expert on the preparation and consumption of human placenta (and, yes, it goes well with Chianti). Bringing together the latest cutting-edge science, Schutt answers questions such as why some amphibians consume their mother’s skin; why certain insects bite the heads off their partners after sex; why, up until the end of the twentieth century, Europeans regularly ate human body parts as medical curatives; and how cannibalism might be linked to the extinction of the Neanderthals. He takes us into the future as well, investigating whether, as climate change causes famine, disease, and overcrowding, we may see more outbreaks of cannibalism in many more species--including our own. Cannibalism places a perfectly natural occurrence into a vital new context and invites us to explore why it both enthralls and repels us. |
Short Film Great Transitions: The Origin of Humans
The short film Great Transitions: The Origin of Humans highlights the most important hominid fossil discoveries of the past 50 years and the insights they provide into human evolution, …
The Major Transitions in the History of Human Transformation …
transition). in the fire, (r)evolution fossil Suchan of in establishingecologically (Hutchinson 1970) but far speciesinthisrespect.2 the This species' so speciesinregardto the the theextent of …
The Historical Transition from Coal to Hydrocarbons: Previous ...
Building on previous explanations, we identify two analytical perspectives: (1) the view on the overall energy supply system that diversified when hydrocarbons were introduced, and (2) that …
Energy Transitions in History - environment and society
Papers and discussion ranged from the eighteenth through the twentieth century and from food to peat to coal to electricity and to natural gas as sources of energy. Speakers showed that the …
Harris et al., eds., 2006, The Triassic-Jurassic Terrestrial …
Harris et al., eds., 2006, The Triassic-Jurassic Terrestrial Transition. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 37. MICRO- AND SMALL VERTEBRATE …
Natural history and prognostic indicators of survival in …
Its natural history is characterized by an asymptomatic phase, termed ‘compensated’ cirrhosis followed by a rapidly progressive phase marked by the development of compli-cations of portal …
Natural and Social History of the Health-Disease Process as an ...
In the development of the study the stages of the natural history of the disease are described from the model proposed by Leavell and Clark. It emphasizes the conceptualization of the …
Making the Transition to the Third Era of Natural Resources …
Our nascent transition into the third era of natural resources management is being driven by the recognition that rapid, unprecedented global changes—particularly climatic chang …
Harris et al., eds., 2006, The Triassic-Jurassic Terrestrial …
Harris et al., eds., 2006, The Triassic-Jurassic Terrestrial Transition. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 37. AN OVERVIEW OF THE PALEONTOLOGY OF …
The Transformation of Natural History in the Nineteenth Century
Natural history had an equally interesting and important history during the nineteenth century, but its significance is not as universally recognized or appreciated as that of physiology.
1. INTRODUCTION - Springer
archaeological search for the transition to food production in the Near East and the Americas, respectively.
2- Natural History of Disease and Concepts of Prevention
Natural history of disease refers to the progress of a disease process in an individual 5 over time, in the absence of intervention ( absence of treatment ) . The process begins with exposure to …
Modeling the Cost-Utility of Treatment Sequences for …
Scenario analyses explored impact of alternative sources of natural history data, societal versus healthcare perspective, and condition-specific versus generic utilities. Predicted short-term …
THE INTERNATIONAL PERMIAN TIMESCALE: MARCH 2013 …
In this paper, we provide a brief overview on recent progress of Permian timescale development based on new biostratigraphic, geochemical and geochronologic data. The Permian Period …
Energy Transitions in History
Energy Crises, Fuel Supplies, and the Slow March to Modernity in Scotland, 1450–1850.
New Mexico’s Rocks and Geologic History
BRIEF GUIDE TO GEOLOGY OF NEW MEXICO. The rocks of New Mexico represent a time period and the environment in which they were formed. They are “time capsules” that tell us …
Natural history of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic …
Aug 20, 2023 · Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which has been the term for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) since June 2023, represents the most …
The Evolution of Dragons: From Living Serpents to Mythical …
Natural histories did not describe dragons as quadrupeds until Athanasius Kircher in the seventeenth century. That dragons existed, however, remained uncontested until the Early …
Charting the 'Transitional Period': The Emergence of Modern …
These transitions, necessary devices in the new of history, also began to attract interest on their own, conceived either as chaotic ative times of transformation, or, more often, as slack periods …
Short Film Great Transitions: The Origin of Humans
The short film Great Transitions: The Origin of Humans highlights the most important hominid fossil discoveries of the past 50 years and the insights they provide into human evolution, …
Transitions in Prehistory - Scholars at Harvard
Of the various transitions that occurred during human evolution, the transition from Australopithecus to Homo was undoubtedly one of the most critical in its magnitude and conse …
The Major Transitions in the History of Human …
transition). in the fire, (r)evolution fossil Suchan of in establishingecologically (Hutchinson 1970) but far speciesinthisrespect.2 the This species' so speciesinregardto the the theextent of …
The Historical Transition from Coal to Hydrocarbons: Previous ...
Building on previous explanations, we identify two analytical perspectives: (1) the view on the overall energy supply system that diversified when hydrocarbons were introduced, and (2) that …
Energy Transitions in History - environment and society
Papers and discussion ranged from the eighteenth through the twentieth century and from food to peat to coal to electricity and to natural gas as sources of energy. Speakers showed that the …
Harris et al., eds., 2006, The Triassic-Jurassic Terrestrial …
Harris et al., eds., 2006, The Triassic-Jurassic Terrestrial Transition. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 37. MICRO- AND SMALL VERTEBRATE …
Natural history and prognostic indicators of survival in …
Its natural history is characterized by an asymptomatic phase, termed ‘compensated’ cirrhosis followed by a rapidly progressive phase marked by the development of compli-cations of portal …
Natural and Social History of the Health-Disease Process as …
In the development of the study the stages of the natural history of the disease are described from the model proposed by Leavell and Clark. It emphasizes the conceptualization of the …
Making the Transition to the Third Era of Natural Resources …
Our nascent transition into the third era of natural resources management is being driven by the recognition that rapid, unprecedented global changes—particularly climatic chang …
Harris et al., eds., 2006, The Triassic-Jurassic Terrestrial …
Harris et al., eds., 2006, The Triassic-Jurassic Terrestrial Transition. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 37. AN OVERVIEW OF THE PALEONTOLOGY OF …
The Transformation of Natural History in the Nineteenth …
Natural history had an equally interesting and important history during the nineteenth century, but its significance is not as universally recognized or appreciated as that of physiology.
1. INTRODUCTION - Springer
archaeological search for the transition to food production in the Near East and the Americas, respectively.
2- Natural History of Disease and Concepts of Prevention
Natural history of disease refers to the progress of a disease process in an individual 5 over time, in the absence of intervention ( absence of treatment ) . The process begins with exposure to …
Modeling the Cost-Utility of Treatment Sequences for …
Scenario analyses explored impact of alternative sources of natural history data, societal versus healthcare perspective, and condition-specific versus generic utilities. Predicted short-term …
THE INTERNATIONAL PERMIAN TIMESCALE: MARCH 2013 …
In this paper, we provide a brief overview on recent progress of Permian timescale development based on new biostratigraphic, geochemical and geochronologic data. The Permian Period …
Energy Transitions in History
Energy Crises, Fuel Supplies, and the Slow March to Modernity in Scotland, 1450–1850.
New Mexico’s Rocks and Geologic History
BRIEF GUIDE TO GEOLOGY OF NEW MEXICO. The rocks of New Mexico represent a time period and the environment in which they were formed. They are “time capsules” that tell us …
Natural history of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic …
Aug 20, 2023 · Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which has been the term for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) since June 2023, represents the most …
The Evolution of Dragons: From Living Serpents to Mythical …
Natural histories did not describe dragons as quadrupeds until Athanasius Kircher in the seventeenth century. That dragons existed, however, remained uncontested until the Early …
Charting the 'Transitional Period': The Emergence of …
These transitions, necessary devices in the new of history, also began to attract interest on their own, conceived either as chaotic ative times of transformation, or, more often, as slack periods …
