{"product_id":"matagorda-magic-kimberly-ridley-9781648431319","title":"Matagorda Magic: The Hidden Life of a Texas Bay","description":"Follow the lives of a resident family of American oystercatchers as you explore the diversity of an estuary, where rivers meet the sea, in Matagorda Bay. Celebrate the unique ecology of the bay as its own little world of Texas estuaries, the \"nurseries of the sea.\" \u003ci\u003eMatagorda Magic: The Hidden Life of a Texas Bay\u003c\/i\u003e reveals the importance of these features as critical habitats for more than 200 species of resident and migratory birds, including the endangered whooping crane. \u003cbr\u003e Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. In Texas, these places sustain sea life and provide critical habitat for hundreds of species. Estuaries also filter out pollution, buffer the shore from storms, sequester carbon, and offer recreational opportunities. \u003cbr\u003e Yet estuaries are commonly viewed as nothing more than mosquito-infested wastelands. In Texas alone, approximately 50 percent of coastal wetlands have been destroyed in the last century. During that same time, half of oyster reefs have disappeared. Such losses show the disconnect between people and estuaries as well as the widespread lack of understanding about the importance of these vital ecosystems. \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMatagorda Magic\u003c\/i\u003e addresses this misunderstanding by inviting young people, their families, and teachers to discover the wonder of estuaries through the lives of their animal inhabitants as they contend with challenges on a Texas bay. Sidebars illuminate the fascinating lives of oystercatchers, whooping cranes, oysters, blue crabs, shrimp, spotted seatrout, and other animals who depend on estuaries for survival. By offering an intimate glimpse into these hidden lives, this book informs, nurtures, and deepens a love of place that in turn inspires stewardship.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Kimberly Ridley\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1648431313\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781648431319\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Texas A\u0026amp;M University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/21\/2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 64\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.27lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 10.24h x 9.29w x 0.55d","brand":"Kimberly Ridley","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":44634415038719,"sku":"9781648431319","price":24.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_1f1ac152-9375-4ea9-8ec0-2be64821d894.jpg?v=1703589216","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/matagorda-magic-kimberly-ridley-9781648431319","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}