A nature field guide is an essential tool. Field guides are usually assigned to enable users differentiate between plants and animals that may look alike in appearance but do not necessarily have a close relation. Almost all scientific field discovery books, including those meant for students will possibly have identification keys to help with identifying something, but the publicly-obtainable field guide is usually a browsable illustration guide arranged by family, shape, color, location or such other descriptors.

It is difficult to generalize about the way in which field guides work, because it depends on the audience and subject of the guide. The most important point of field guides is to positively classify a bird, plant, rock, butterfly or other natural object down to the popular naming level.

Many nature field guides include a key. The majority of prescribed taxonomic keys are indeed dichotomous ones, where the user should choose between two opposing choices, which then leads to another set of choices until the plant or animal is finally identified. There are many other types of keys, including tables and visual keys with illustrations of the species to be identified. On the other hand, keys generally require some practice to be able to use well but they can be very helpful. For instance, trees in the winter season are far easier to identify by means of a key rather than the standard field guide descriptions.

Generally, features contained in field guides have range maps and checklists. The presence of all of these features in each field guide is included in its description, along with its arrangement and the amount of general information on a plant or animal's natural history.

Classification

Field guides are classified by type of organism and region covered. Multiple groups of organisms are listed and covered in distinct sections, Fauna and Flora for ecological system-wide guides counting both plants and animals, and Plants or Animals for guides which include groups of organisms from more than one category or which do not belong in another classification.

Each classification is sub-divided by region. A combination of bio-geographical and political divisions is the considerations of how the regions will be sub-divided. Field guides are not listed by country, or state because political boundaries usually make little biological logic.

The bio-geographical regions used in this list are as follows:

Africa – This includes Madagascar, the Seychelles, and other islands in the Indian Ocean
Antarctica
Asia- including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Borneo.
Australasia-including Australia, New Zealand, the Celebes, and Papua/New Guinea
Central and South America - including Mexico, and the Caribbean islands
Europe, which includes the Middle East, northern Africa, and Iceland
North America - covering the United States and/or Canada.
North America, Eastern United States and Canada
North America, Western part of the Rocky Mountains
Explore the natural world around you; natural field guides will be of help. Discover the wonders of natures and learn new things that will enhance your knowledge!