Ice, Fire, and Nutcrackers

George Constantz is an independent ecologist with special interest in fishes, streams, and watersheds. He has invested over twenty years working with grassroots watershed organizations to develop their scientific and organizational capacities. He has taught biology and ecology at both the high school and university levels. His first book, Hollows, Peepers, and Highlanders: An Appalachian Mountain Ecology, is now in its second edition.

"The species chosen have provided excellent vehicles [of how basic ecological principles play out] and should each be equally entertaining while informing the reader. Guidebooks and those on the nature of native plants and animals often have one persuasion: to contribute as a reference/fact source. This book goes much beyond that. The general reader will find its strength, beyond fascinating reading, will be the "why" things are the way they are. A well-rounded introduction to the Rockies." —James Platz, Department of Biology, Creighton University "I know of no other book quite like this one. I think anyone involved with teaching others about ecology and natural history in the Rockies would like Constantz's book as a reference."—Dennis Knight, Professor Emeritus, Department of Botany, University of Wyoming“The author creates a good naturalist's tale for each organism he addresses. These tales are based on his own keen field observations, anecdotes, facts, and a good grasp of the mechanisms of biological evolution… The narratives are scholarly and entertaining.”—Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research“This book will find satisfied readers among scientists, teachers, hikers, and anyone interested in the organisms found on this planet.”—Southeastern Naturalist