Discover Michigan’s rich ecological diversity with this indispensable field guide. Updated to reflect a decade of additional ecological surveys, continued learning, and new scientific discoveries, the second edition of A Field Guide to the Natural Communitiesof Michigan incorporates the latest understanding of the state’s natural landscapes. This revised edition adds three newly recognized natural community types; updates scientific nomenclature, photographs, distribution maps, species lists, and community descriptions; and refines the dichotomous keys to make field identification more accessible than ever. Drawing on more than four decades of intensive research by ecologists at the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, this essential guidebook introduces readers to Michigan’s remarkable ecological biodiversity.  Compact enough to carry in a backpack, this field guide provides a practical framework for dividing Michigan’s complex natural landscape into easily understood and describable components called natural communities. Providing an enlightening way to explore Michigan’s many environments, this book details natural communities ranging from patterned fen to volcanic bedrock glade and beyond. The descriptions are supplemented with distribution maps, vibrant photographs, and comprehensive lists of characteristic plant species. The authors suggest places to visit to further study each natural community type and provide a comprehensive glossary of ecological terms, as well as dichotomous keys for aiding on-site classification. An invaluable resource, this book is meant to serve as a tool for those seeking to understand, describe, document, conserve, and restore the diversity of natural communities native to Michigan.

Joshua G. Cohen is the lead ecologist with Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI), Michigan’s natural heritage program, and a senior conservation scientist with Michigan State University Extension. 

Michael A. Kost was the lead ecologist for MNFI from 2004 to 2012 and is currently the associate curator at the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, and a lecturer in the School for Environment and Sustainability.

Bradford S. Slaughter was the lead botanist for MNFI from 2013 to 2017 and is senior botanist with Orbis Environmental Consulting. 

Dennis A. Albert was the lead ecologist for MNFI from 1987 to 2004, and he is research faculty in the environmental sciences program at Oregon State University. 

Tyler J. Bassett is a lead botanist with MNFI. 

Jesse M. Lincoln has worked as an ecologist with MNFI since 2010. 

Helen D. Enander is a geographic information system analyst with MNFI.