An issue that has been bugging me for a number of years now is the quality of paper used in biological field guides. The paper is usually one of two types:

1.  Relatively thicky, slightly glossy paper, often characteristic of field guides with colour plates. It gives the book a great look, but as soon as any moisture is trapped in them (i.e. from high humidity or a single drop of rain or dew) the pages wrinkle badly and/or instantly stick together like glue. A range of publishers (including CSIRO Publishers) use this type of paper in books and, while creating attractive-looking publications, they are unsuited for use in the broad range of field conditions that we are use to operating in.

2.  Very thin paper (almost as thin as some tracing paper), which can tear easily or, in a relatively short period of time, curl up along the edges of the page, especially at the corners. Field guides using this paper type seem to be more suitable for use in the field than the previously-mentioned type, but their life-spans are shortened because of the fragility of the paper.

Publications that are the exception to these concerns are most bird field guides. Some bird field guides come with water-proof covers and the pages inside are usually less prone to sticking together or curling. Wouldn't it be great if publishers of other field guides did the same thing? Or am I being too fussy? I'd be interested to hear what other people think?