Conservation of wildlife and habitats Books

Book SynopsisCreate an edible garden brimming with wildlife that provides you with food every day of the year Imagine a garden that is as beautiful as it is productive, that gives you fresh, wholesome, chemical-free food with flavors that go beyond anything shops can offer. In Eat What You Grow, Alys shows you how to create a rich, biodiverse garden that feeds not only you, but supports a wide range of pollinators, bees and butterflies, as well as other wildlife. From perennial vegetables that come back year after year, to easy-to-grow delights, she has selected plants that hold their own in both the garden and on the plate. And tells you how to raise these plants, guiding you through the process of feeding your soil, saving seed and taking cuttings to increase your supplies. The book covers every size garden with tips on what can grow in containers (for smaller gardens) as well as harvesting throughout the year.

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Book SynopsisThis new book of essays from the author of Wild tracks the turning light of the day and seasons, an almanac of the turning times. Beginning in night and winter, it moves to dawn and spring, then noon and summer and finally evening and autumn. Set partly at the author's home in Wales, the book journeys widely, searching for a dead father in Prague, listening to the Sky-Grandmothers of Mexican myth and staying with the people of West Papua who, when they know they will fall over laughing, lie down first. It asks: what is the real gift of the misunderstood Goddess Nemesis? Why should flowers be prescribed as medicine? What do male zebra finches dream of? Where do the sands of time run fastest, and how is that connected to the age of anxiety? It explores the dawn chorus; the tradition of sacred hospitality; dust from the time before the sun even existed; the twilight time of the trickster and the daily rituals of morning. In all of these it asks: why does light, through the hours of the day and the seasons of the year, affect us? Griffiths concludes this extraordinary collection by deciding that light is in fact how we think.Trade Review'A great stylist, lively and curious, she writes beautifully about a very wide range of topics. But in every case she brings something that nobody else could bring.' George Monbiot

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Book Synopsis'A hugely useful and fascinating resume of rewilding - what it means, where it came from, why it's important and where it's going. Jepson and Blythe have done a masterly job, explaining the science behind rewilding in an accessible, honest and compelling way. It deserves to be widely read and become a book of great influence.' Isabella Tree, author of Wilding 'Compelling ... [a] succinct and objective account' Financial TimesRewilding is the first popular book on the ground-breaking science behind the restoration of wild nature.As ecologists Paul Jepson and Cain Blythe show, rewilding is a new and progressive approach to conservation, blending radical scientific insights with practical innovations to revive ecological processes, benefiting people as well as nature. Its goal is to restore lost interactions between animals, plants and natural disturbance that are the essence of thriving ecosystems.With its sense of hope and purpose, rewilding is breathing new life into the conservation movement, and enabling a growing number of people - even urban-dwellers - to enjoy thrilling wildlife experiences previously accessible only in remote wilderness reserves. 'De-domesticated' horses galloping across a Dutch 'Serengeti'; beavers creating wetlands in the British countryside; giant tortoises restoring the wildlife of the Mauritian islands; perhaps one day even rhinos roaming the Australian outback - rewilding is full of exciting and inspirational possibilities.Trade ReviewStraightforward and useful ... In offering hope rather than pessimism for humanity's care of the environment, Jepson and Blythe's well-explained primer will strike a chord with conservation-minded readers -- Publishers WeeklyCompelling ... [a] succinct and objective account * Financial Times *A hugely useful and fascinating resume of rewilding - what it means, where it came from, why it's important and where it's going. Jepson and Blythe have done a masterly job, explaining the science behind rewilding in an accessible, honest and compelling way. It deserves to be widely read and become a book of great influence. * Isabella Tree, author of Wilding *Rewilding ... makes a compelling case for the need to re-evaluate how we treat the planet and its natural resources. -- Stephen Moss

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Book SynopsisDaphne Sheldrick''s best-selling love story of romance, life and elephants, An African Love Story: Love, Life and Elephants is an incredible story from Africa''s greatest living conservationist.A typical day for Daphne involves rescuing baby elephants from poachers; finding homes for orphan elephants, all the while campaigning the ever-present threat of poaching for the ivory trade.An African Love Story is the incredible memoir of her life. It tells two stories - one is the extraordinary love story which blossomed when Daphne fell head over heels with Tsavo Game Park and its famous warden, David Sheldrick. The second is the love story of how Daphne and David, who devoted their lives to saving elephant orphans, at first losing every infant under the age of two until Daphne at last managed to devise the first-ever milk formula which would keep them alive. ''Compulsively readable'', Mail on Sunday''An enchanting memoir'', TelegraTrade ReviewCompulsively readable...the more you hear about elephants from her, the more you wonder why they don't rule the world -- Kathryn Hughes * Mail on Sunday *An enchanting memoir...Baby birds, antelopes, elephants, rhinos and a civet cat all pass through Sheldrick's life -- Helen Brown * Telegraph *Wonderfully candid -- Charlotte Kemp * Daily Mail *Absorbing, moving...paints a vivid picture of an extraordinary life in the bush that will delight everyone * BBC Wildlife Magazine *Moving and magical...a fascinating story...touching, funny and written with warmth and compassion * Lancashire Evening Post *Inspirational. A heart-warming read for anyone interested in wildlife and conservation * Compass *Africa has never been more vividly described...I read it straight through and it nearly broke my heart...her warnings about the decline of wildlife should be heeded the world over -- Joanna Lumley

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Book SynopsisThis special book-format issue of Birds New Zealands journal Notornisis devoted to the birds of the Auckland Islands Maukahuka/Motu Maha, the largest and biologically most diverse island group in the New Zealand subantarctic region. Its 19 chapters, written by leading ornithologists, cover a wide range of topics, including the history of ornithological discovery, biogeography, the impacts of introduced mammals and people, prehistoric bird communities based on bone assemblages, and population, ecological and genetic studies of several of the endemic or otherwise notable birds of the island group including Auckland Island snipe, white-headed petrel, and several albatross species.Trade Review'Te Papa's Lost Gold: Ornithology of the subantarctic Auckland Islands stands as a collation of nearly all that's known about this remote and spectacular birdland. It's a natural history and a history, too, of the birdwatchers who put in the hard work. ... Its chapters are well-researched scientific papers; there are no bold assertions, no flowery prose; it's all hard-won data based on meticulous observation and plain hard slog' - Matt Vance, reviewed as Book of the Week on Newsroom's ReadingRoom (21 May 2020).Table of ContentsForeward 9 1. Ornithological discovery, exploration, and research on the Auckland Islands, New Zealand subantartic, 11 2. Birds of the Auckland Islands, New Zealand subantarctic, 59 3. Subantarctic Adams Island and its birdlife 153 4. Birds of Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, New Zealand subantarctic, 189. 5. Shipwrecks and mollymawks: an account of Disappointment Island birds 213 6. Introduced land mammals and their impacts on the birds of the subantarctic Auckland Islands 247 7. Holocene bird bones found at the subantarctic Auckland Islands 269 8. An extinct New Zealand raven (Corvus antipodum) on the Auckland Islands - an osteographic enigma? 295 9. Population estimate for yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) in the subantarctic Auckland Islands, New Zealand 299 10. Development of aerial monitoring techniques to estimate population size of great albatrosses (Diomeda spp). 321 11. Variation in the bill colour of the white-capped mollymawk (Thalassarche cauta steadi). 333 12. Population trends of light-mantled sooty albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) at Adams Island and trials of ground, boat, and aerial methods for population estimates 341 13. First northern giant petrel (Macronectes halli) breeding population survey and estimate for the Auckland Islands, New Zealand 357 14. Year-round distribution, breeding cycle, and activity of white-headed petrels (Pterodroma lessonii) nesting on Adams Island, Auckland Islands 369 15. White-chinned petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) burrow density, occupancy, and population size at the Auckland Islands 387 16. Genetic analysis reveal an unexpected refugial population of subantarctic snipe (Coenocorypha aucklandica) 403 17. Macquarie Island shags (Leucocarbo purpurascens) at the Auckland Islands - an addition to the New Zealand list 419 18. First record of South Polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) from New Zealand - Auckland Islands, March 1904 427 19. Endemic is good, introduced is boring? Biases in bird reporting rates at the Auckland Islands 431 Acknowledgements 435

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Book SynopsisCreated in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, this exquisite book explores one majestic oak tree in the forest, from roots to canopy.... with a huge fold-out surprise at the end. Under the Starlit Sky takes readers to the heart of the Bialowieza forest in Poland and Belarus, where owls hoot, wolves howl, fireflies glow and dormice scurry. With artwork as rich and dense as the forest itself, there is much to explore at every level, and readers can scour the forest floor, understory and canopy for the world's most secretive woodland creatures. Finally reaching the top of the tree, they are rewarded with the most magical sight - the final page of the book folds out to reveal a huge illustration of the oak tree and its many animal inhabitants, perfect for spreading out on the floor and poring over for hours.

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Book SynopsisGeorge Archibald heads the International Crane Foundation. In this charmingly illustrated book he shares his experience of the 15 species of crane in amusing and interesting anecdotes.

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Book SynopsisAn Inspiring Memoir, for Fans of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Frans De Waal. In her enchanting memoir, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian, tells the remarkable story from her animal-loving childhood to her career protecting endangered mountain gorillas and other wild animals. She is also the defender of people as a groundbreaking promoter of human public health and an advocate for revolutionary integrated approaches to saving our planet. In an increasingly interconnected world, animal and human health alike depend on sustainable solutions and Dr. Gladys has developed an innovative approach to conservation among the endangered Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and their human neighbors.Walking with Gorillas takes the reader on an incredible personal journey with Dr. Gladys, from her early days as a student in Uganda, enduring the assassination of her father during civil war, to her veterinarian education in England to establishing the first veterinary department for the Ugandan government to founding one of the first organizations in the world that enables people to coexist with wildlife through improving the health and wellbeing of both. Her award-winning approach reduced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on critically endangered mountain gorillas. In the face of discrimination and a male dominated world, one woman’s passion and determination to build a brighter future for the local wildlife and human community offers inspiration and insights into what is truly possible for our planet when we come together."Her story is amazing and I recommend this book to everyone interested in conservation, alleviating poverty, and the role of women in society. But perhaps most importantly it is a truly inspiring story of how one determined and dedicated woman overcame many setbacks and faced many dangers to follow and realize her dream. She has made a huge difference to conservation in Uganda and she is an inspiring example to young—and not so young—people everywhere." -- Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE and UN Messenger of Peace, from the foreword Trade Review“I recommend this book to everyone interested in conservation, alleviating poverty, and the role of women in society. But perhaps most importantly it is a truly inspiring story of how one determined and dedicated woman overcame many setbacks and faced many dangers to follow and realize her dream.”—Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE and UN Messenger of Peace (from the foreword) “This uplifting debut by conservationist Kalema-Zikusoka reflects on her upbringing in Uganda and career as a wildlife veterinarian. Born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1970, the author was two years old when her father, a former cabinet minister, was abducted and murdered by the forces of then-president Idi Amin. She recounts devoting herself to her education and enrolling at the University of London Royal Veterinary College, becoming at age 26 Uganda’s first veterinarian specializing in wild animals. Vivid anecdotes detail the sometimes gritty nature of her work with endangered mountain gorillas, as when she describes using sugar to help reduce swelling around a gorilla’s prolapse. Through her work, she became “convinced that you couldn’t keep the gorillas healthy without improving the health and well-being of the people with whom they shared their fragile habitats” and began studying disease transmission between humans and primates. That research, she relates, enabled her to successfully advocate for Uganda’s adoption of the “One Health” approach to conservation, which recognizes that human hygiene and health lead to better welfare for plants and animals. The heartwarming narrative testifies to the good that one person can achieve and illuminates the complex interdependence between human and their environments. Admirers of Jane Goodall will love this. (Feb.)—Publishers Weekly “Her zeal for animals and gorillas in particular, as witnessed in this book, have lead Gladys to ground breaking innovations in conservation winning her global awards. This is an awe-inspiring walk by a remarkable lady who stands to be counted among women of incredible determination and purpose.” —HRH Nnabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, Queen of Buganda Kingdom, Uganda “We eight billion humans are in a turf war with all other living species, one so lopsided that co-existing with them might seem a lost cause—until you meet Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. Her miraculous career, engagingly recounted here, has meant salvation for some of our rarest primate cousins and an inspiring reminder for us Homo sapiens of what imagination and persistence can accomplish,whatever the odds.”—Alan Weisman, author,The World Without Us andCountdown “Her vivid narration of the special relationship she has been able to cultivate with nature will leave you captivated and in an intense trance as she transports you to the deep woods of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and on an excursion that you will never forget.”—Kaddu Sebunya, CEO African Wildlife Foundation “With unwavering drive and passion, she transformed a childhood love of animals into a career as Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian and one of Africa’s leading conservationists. Filled with adventure and told with candor and heart, Walking with Gorillas is an extraordinary story of an extraordinary life.”—Thor Hanson, author ofHurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid,andThe Impenetrable Forest:My Gorilla Years in Uganda “Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is a true force of nature. Her riveting story of growing up in Uganda and overcoming challenges to pursue a veterinary profession, reads almost like fiction—full of adventure, drama, passion, and lots of big, furry primates.” —Meg Lowman, National Geographic Explorer and author of The Arbornaut: A Life Discovering the 8th Continent in the Trees Above Us “In one of the world’s most challenging environments, Dr. Gladys has put her life on the line to protect one of the world's most spectacular—and spectacularly threatened species, the mountain gorilla. A story which will inspire everyone, everywhere!”—Dr. Mark Plotkin, The Amazon Conservation Team, author of Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice “A concise and compelling autobiography, from a resilient ‘bridge-builder’: Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. It has been said: ‘When you build bridges, you get walked on from both sides,’—so true for Gladys who has faced prejudice from her own culture, for being a woman and for being African. But Gladys is a trailblazer, risk-taker and innovative. We all share this planet and it takes a person like Gladys to reimagine conservation and build bridges between culture and communities so that we all survive together. Gladys is my hero, Uganda’s hero, Africa’s hero, and the world’s hero.”—Catherine Kreutter, author of Old Mzee books “Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is one of Africa’s greatest conservation ecoheroes. Her work on mountain gorillas and her innovative approaches linking this essential conservation activity with the health of human communities living in close proximity is truly ground-breaking and serves as a model for other projects around the world. It is wonderful to now have her story told in her own words in this inspiring and delightful new book.”—Russell A. Mittermeier, Ph.D., Chief Conservation Officer, Re:wild (formerly Global Wildlife Conservation) “Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka's pioneering efforts to save endangered gorillas by improving local human health have been an inspiration to conservationists around the world. Her new memoir details this incredible journey, including the adversity she had to overcome and what she's learned along the way. She artfully illustrates the complexities of conservation, sheds light on how protecting nature helps us protect ourselves, and offers insights that are applicable to conservation programs worldwide. I strongly recommend this book!”—Rhett Butler, Founder and CEO of Mongabay “Walking with Gorillas is an inspirational account of one veterinarian's unwavering effort to prevent disease spillover by promoting a "One Health" approach and always, above all, listening and prioritizing local community members’ voices to create a better world for humans, animals and nature. This decade began with grave reminder of the danger of diseases jumping from animals to people and back, something Dr. Gladys has been committed to protecting us and wildlife from during her entire professional life.”—Dr. William Karesh, Author Appointments at the Ends of the World, President, World Organisation for Animal Health Working Group on Wildlife “Uganda deserves to be better known for its astonishing wildlife. And I can think of no better guide than the nation’s first wildlife veterinarian. Meet Dr. Gladys and enter the incredible adventure that has been her life." — Dr. Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel “Infused with the remarkable spirit of purpose, compassion and innovative thinking that is synonymous with Gladys herself, Walking with Gorillas is an inspiring memoir that showcases the importance of community-based conservation through one of Uganda’s most determined voices for wildlife. A captivating look at the dangers that humans pose to our closest of relatives, this book gives a compelling insight into the role that healthcare and women in society play in the author’s pioneering ‘One Health’ approach – one that the future of conservation surely depends upon. Simply, a must-read.”—Edward Whitley, OBE, Founder of Whitley Fund for Nature, Author of Gerald Durrell’s Army “Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka’s book, Walking With Gorillas, is a walk through the forests and landscapes of her life and the lives of those who have influenced her choices as a veterinarian, a leader, partner and mother. Her method for building community and improving methods for protection of the forest has not only had an impact on the survival of our closest relatives the great apes, it has added a chapter to our understanding of how to build a thriving relationship with nature. Her wisdom is what we urgently need as we meet the challenge of declining biodiversity and deforestation, pandemics and climate change. If the measure of a life is one’s legacy, Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka shows in her book that being part of a lineage is also important. Her learning from her forebearers while creating communities that live in harmony with all sentient beings is a model for public health, economic livelihoods and field science.”—Tom Cummings, Tallberg Foundation jury leader and Member Club of Rome, Chair, BLab Europe, Global Alliance for Banking on Values, Author of Leadership Landscapes

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Book Synopsis''The future of all life on this earth depends on our willingness to take action now'' David AttenboroughThe official companion to the ground-breaking Netflix original series.With a foreword by Sir David Attenborough, breathtakingly beautiful still photography, specially commissioned maps and graphics, and compelling text expanding on the remarkable TV stories and giving the reader a depth of information that is impossible on screen, this companion book presents a whole new view of the place we call home.Featuring some of the world''s rarest creatures and previously unseen parts of the Earth from deep oceans to remote forests to ice caps, Our Planet takes nature-lovers deep into the science of our natural world.Revealing the most amazing sights on Earth in unprecedented ways, alongside stories of the ways humans are affecting the world''s ecosystems, from the wildebeest migrations in Africa to thTrade ReviewAstonishing book...full of beautiful photographs * Radio Times *Featuring some of the world's rarest creatures and previously unseen parts of the Earth - Our Planet travels deep into the science of our natural world. Revealing the most amazing sights, alongside stories of the way humans are affecting the world's ecosystems - this book is part of a vital global conversation about protecting and preserving the planet. * Compass Magazine *A treat on your coffee table and a fine companion to any binge watch of the series * Wanderlust *Breathtaking photographs * Radio Times *Revealing the most amazing sights on Earth, alongside stories of the way humans are affecting the world's ecosystems, this book places itself at the forefront of a global conversation as we work together to protect and preserve the planet. * Catholic Times *

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Book SynopsisThe second book by the bestselling author of Extraordinary InsectsTrees clean air and water; hoverflies and bees pollinate our crops; the kingfisher inspired the construction of high-speed trains. In Tapestries of Life, bestselling author Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson explains how closely we are all connected with the natural world, highlighting our indelible link with nature's finely knit system and our everyday lives.In the heart of natural world is a life-support system like no other, a collective term that describes all the goods and services we receive food, fresh water, medicine, pollination, pollution control, carbon sequestration, erosion prevention, recreation, spiritual health and so much more. In this utterly captivating book, Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson sets out to explore these wonderful, supportive elements taking the reader on a journey through the surprising characteristics of the natural world.

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Book SynopsisPlanting for Pollinators is an easy-to-use gardening guide to help you encourage different types of insect pollinators into your garden.Insect pollinators not only bring joy to our gardens, they also provide an essential service for our planet. Without bees, flies, hoverflies, butterflies, moths and beetles, some of our favourite foods, flowers and plants would cease to exist. Whether you have a large garden, an urban balcony or just a window box, planting to encourage pollinators is a fantastic and surprisingly easy first step in creating a wildlife-friendly space. Planting for Pollinators features a wide range of plants, with guidance on the best ways to nurture lawns and verges, pollinator predation and tips on watching and photographing wildlife. Beautifully illustrated throughout with images from award-winning wildlife photographer Heather Angel, this essential guide will show you how plants communicate with insects, and why it''s so importaTrade ReviewI love this book, it's packed with gorgeous photos and practical advice, featuring my favourite plants and my favourite pollinators. * Kate Bradbury, author of Wildlife Gardening *I can fully recommend this book for its wealth of information and for highlighting the importance of pollinators for our planet’s survival. -- Val Bourne * The Garden *[A] beautiful and informative book that focuses on the fascinating relationship between plants and insects. * The English Garden *The author’s photos and illustrations of flowers and insects make this book a delight to peruse for ideas. -- Margaret Heller * Library Journal *If you want to create an abundant habitat for pollinators – and who doesn't – you will be inspired by this gorgeous new book... filled with stunning photos, the book provides insights and inspiration for transforming your garden, balcony or even a modest window box into a buzzing paradise for pollinators. * Writers Voice *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Parts of a flower What is pollination? Types of pollination Why pollinators and flowers need each other How flowers communicate with pollinators Rewards and pseudo-rewards Looking at lawns The decline of pollinators Pollinator predation Redressing the balance Choosing Plants for Pollinators - Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter Watching pollinators Daytime forays Native versus alien flowers Pollen load colours Nocturnal sorties Photo tips Into the future Glossary Further reading and resources Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisDiscover the incredible diversity of life within our seas and learn how we can all play a role in protecting and conserving it.Our seas are home to an abundance of fascinating creatures and stunning habitats. From spectacular kelp forests to intricate rocky reefs and from mud plains to open ocean, the British Isles have a diversity of marine ecosystems that rival those seen on any nature documentary. Yet, for generations, we have been slowly suffocating life beneath the waves. Decades of unsustainable exploitation, endless pollution and a warming climate have had a devastating effect on our marine habitats.However, it's not too late to make a difference and change course. Written in collaboration with the Wildlife Trusts, Britain''s Living Seas provides a user-friendly and richly illustrated guide to coasts around the British Isles, uncovering the diversity of life within a range of marine habitats and the life-giving services that they provide us. Outlining how thTrade ReviewFor too long, pollution and environmental change have been suffocating the life beneath the waves and this book can help us to do our bit to protect it. * Countryman *Accessible and bursting with wonder, Britain’s Living Seas is an important reference resource and companion for anyone interested in a wilder world. * Sophie Pavelle, BBC Countryfile *Richly illustrated with high-quality photographs, this book is a pleasure to read. * Outdoor Photography *Clear presentation, copious illustrations and ‘spotters guide’ features … make this an excellent gift. * Yachting Monthly *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Living Seas Beautiful Beaches and Spectacular Strandlines Sleek Sand Dunes Magnificent Maritime Cliffs Special Saltmarsh and Miraculous Mudflats Cool Cold-water Corals Enchanted Kelp Forests Striking Seagrass Rockin' Rocky Reefs Silky Sand and Gritty Gravel Marvellous Mud Bountiful Biogenic Reefs Boundless Pelagic The Bountiful Blue Chapter 2: Ocean of Life Regulating the World Culture Crafters Providing for Society Supporting Seas Chapter 3: The Threatened Blue A Changing Climate A Polluted Planet Losing the Wild Ocean No More Fish for the Table? Trading Marine Wildlife Deep-Sea Mining Mending a Collapsing World Chapter 4: Sustainable Seas Nature-based Solutions Marine Protected Areas Tackling the Plastic Tide Sustainable Fisheries Marine Planning Let's Get Social Paving the Way for Sustainable Seas Chapter 5: Be An Everyday Marine Conservationist Fish Are Friends, But Also Food Battling the Climate Crisis Plastic is Not So Fantastic Conscious Consumption Out and About You Are More Than a Drop in the Ocean Chapter 6: Discover Your Coastline Remember the Seashore Code Sun, Sea, Sand and Sport Mini Adventurers Become a Citizen Scientist Dive into Nature: Where to Visit

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Book Synopsis*Levison Wood's documentary series on WALKING WITH ELEPHANTS is available to watch now on Channel 4*This book comes at a critical time. Fifty years ago, Africa was home to just over 1.3 million elephants, but by 1990 the number had halved. Meanwhile in the span of a lifetime, the human population has more than doubled. In Levison Wood's The Last Giants, he explores the rapid decline of one of the world's favourite animals. Filled with stories from his own time spent travelling with elephants in Africa, and documenting their migration in his Channel 4 series, Walking With Elephants, the book is a passionate wake-up call for this endangered species we take for granted. The Last Giants was written to inspire us all to act - to learn more and help save the species from permanent extinction.

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Book SynopsisThe Rough Guide to Rewilding in Britain - the latest picture-packed addition to Rough Guides'' Inspirational series - reveals 15 destinations to take travellers across Britain to some of its most beautiful and wild escapes in nature in a brand-new, inspirational coffee-table book.With an introduction to the importance of rewilding and an in-depth overview of what it entails to explanations on the importance of soil health and leaving no trace of your visit to volunteering and how to get involved, all the basics are covered, plus there''s an inspirational photo-laden Best of Britain section featuring some of the most amazing nature and wildlife that you will encounter on your travels. Whether you are planning a weekend away or a day-trip, Rewilding in Britain will reawaken your love with nature. The expert-selected destinations are organised by season to encourage rewarding year-round trips, managing expectations of what to see and when.Every entry boas

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Book Synopsis10 years on from the first, groundbreaking, Planet Earth, we use the most incredible advances in technology and scientific discovery to bring you the most exciting and immersive picture of our world's wildlife yet. With over 250 breathtaking photographs and stills from the BBC Natural History Unit's spectacular footage, this is an extraordinary new look at the complex life of some of the most amazing places on Planet Earth. Each chapter reveals an environment – some never-before-seen, some astonishingly familiar – defined by a unique set of rules required for survival. From the most desolate desert to the depths of the jungle, from blistering heat and freezing cold to perpetual darkness and deadly UV, discover how a whole host of creatures have adapted to life in the most extreme conditions. And how they compete with one another to become the largest, the fastest, the most poisonous, or most devious - all in a bid to survive. Planet Earth II includes the first in-depth look at the urban environment, and the surprising range of behaviours occurring right under our noses, as well as some previously untouched island worlds. Filmed with remarkable 5k and infra-red technology, these are the challenges, the confrontations, and the triumphs of some of the most extraordinary creatures in the natural world, told from their perspective. This is our planet, as you have never seen it before.

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Book SynopsisSaltmarshes are often remote, inhospitable places, neither land nor sea, as hard to pin down as they are to navigate. In this saline odyssey, Clive Chatters has explored his favourite creeks, pools and mudflats to bring us an absorbing celebration of the ecology, biology, geology and history of this scarce and mysterious habitat. There are Tadpole Shrimps, and rare sedges, waders and Wild Celery even inland saltmarshes in this tour de force by a superb naturalist and writer. BRETT WESTWOOD, naturalist, author and radio presenter Saltmarshes are among Britain''s most diverse and dynamic landscapes. They abound around our shores but may also be found inland and at altitude wherever water, salt and vegetation combine. The species they support range from extreme rarities of specialised habitats to the less demanding denizens of coastal wetlands. Here is a landscape of international importance for migratory birds, endemic plants and an exceptional Trade ReviewA detailed and wide-ranging look at the natural history and diversity of one of Britain's most ecologically important landscapes. -- Mark Whitley * The Countryman *A remarkable book ... Chatters writes with authority and eloquence on an enormous range of topics and draws from an impressive range of sources. -- Ros Bennett * British Wildlife *Clive Chatters has maintained the standard in this excellent new book which deals with an often remote and slightly inhospitable habitat that attracts wildlife in droves. As the series names suggests, the focus is strongly on British examples but the author roams the country widely and brings the marshes he visits vividly to life. Splendid stuff. -- Alan Crowden * BES Bulletin *The stories Clive Chatters tells are based on decades of first-hand experience and extensive research, and he is to be congratulated on a superb read ... hard to put down. -- Tim Rich * BSBI News *Well researched and well-illustrated throughout ... contains a wealth of information about its subject matter, focusing on the wildlife, history, development and past and future conservation of this marginal coastal habitat. -- Ian Woodward * BTO *Table of ContentsPreface 1. Introduction 2. Far from the shore 3. On the wind 4. In the Highlands 5. Atlantic gateway 6. The merse of the Solway Firth 7. Bae Ceredigion 8. Genesis of the Humber 9. Seawalls and the Severn 10. Capital marsh country 11. The legacy of the Solent's artwork 12. Southampton's Spartinas 13. Conservation before conservationists 14. The advent of nature conservation 15. Modest proposals 16. The rise of regulation 17. International perspectives 18. Invasive and non-native species 19. Conservation in practice 20. Rejuvenation 21. Time and tide Appendix A: A provisional inventory of inland saltmarshes in Britain Appendix B: Special Areas of Conservation in Britain supporting saltmarsh habitats References and further reading Species names Illustration credits Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Birdwatcher's Yearbook Best Bird Book of the Year""Sixth Place for the 2022 BB/BTO Best Bird Book of the Year, British Birds and the British Trust for Ornithology""Ideal if you’ve ever wondered what wildlife you might find in the Patagonian steppe or what the difference between maquis and garrigue is."---Penny Sarchet, New Scientist Wild Wild Life"What a book this is – a Bible of the world’s habitats! The pictures are amazing, with a great variety of birds, mammals and habitats shown. . . . A brilliant guide for the traveller, though, and an enjoyable read."---John Miles, Birdwatching Magazine"Nature lovers are in for a treat if they’re looking for an easy to interpret, all-in-one ready reference that covers our entire planet’s major ecological habitats. . . . Anyone wanting a deeper understanding and appreciation of the habitats around them, be it from the confines of their narrowboat, or while travelling the world, would do well to invest in this book as a quick and reliable source of information."---Kevin Thomas, Towpath Talk"Hugely ambitious in scope, this guide aims to cover and describe all the main broad habitats of the world . . . . Such a compilation of information, mostly reflecting the experience of the authors, is a remarkable achievement."---Chris and Jude Gibson, British Naturalists Association"I found this book to be well laid out, clear, informative and interesting. I hadn’t previously considered habitats as something to really look at in close detail but this book has unexpectedly changed that and will likely make a surprisingly welcome addition to many other birders’ bookcases too."---Stephen Menzie, British Birds"[This] is a fun book, and it contains a wealth of information about habitats, wildlife, and biogeography. It’s certainly required reading for anyone embarking on a nature tour, and it also provides interesting perspective on the habitats on your home turf."---Stefan Woltmann, Association of Field Ornithologists"[An] astonishing book."---Donna Schulman, American Birding Association"Packed full of information that is concisely expressed. . . . A book that deserves a place in any birder’s reference library."---Raymond Jeffers, Neotropical Birding"Concise but informative text and easy-to-understand diagrams."---Stephen Menzie, British Birds and British Trust for Ornithology

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Book SynopsisTobin Mitnick, JewsLoveTrees creator and shameless tree lover, leads you, the tree-curious, through the wonderful world of North American trees with fact, opinion, and humor. In Must Love Trees, Mitnick invites you to share his deeply personal connection to our forest companions in ways that expand the storied genre of nature writing. From an imagined dialogue with the world’s oldest bristlecone pine, to the minutiae of tree huggability, to the emotional toll of taking up the practice of bonsai, this fresh take into the world of trees is divided into three equally humorous and insightful sections. The first section discusses Mitnick’s personal opinions and relationship with trees while the second section describes the science behind trees (from tree botany to tree biology to tree ecology). In the final section, Mitnick answers the question: Who would these trees be if they all attended high school together? Tobin’s detailed description of a tree in action and his thorough run-down of our most-treasured North American trees (all 100 of whom happen to be classmates at “Tree High North America”), makes this compilation an original and occasionally outlandish guide for both the budding and seasoned tree-lover.Must Love Trees features beautiful drawings of a vast selection of North American trees, including: Renowned icons like the Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) Beloved favorites like the Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Historical tragedies like the American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) Menacing creepers like Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) Unsung wonders like the Common Paw-Paw (Asimina triloba) Part textbook, part memoir, and part comedy, Must Love Trees is the most complete—and most unconventional—story of our forest pals ever told.Table of ContentsIntroduction What You Can Expect from This Book Prologue An Imagined Dialogue with Methuselah, the Oldest (?) Tree in the World 8 Part I My Personal Experience with Trees and Thoughts Derived Thereof CHAPTER 1 My Everyday Tree-Sperience CHAPTER 2 “Arbor-Culture” CHAPTER 3 Bonsai — a Wonderful Way to Torture Oneself CHAPTER 4 Around the House and Neighborhood CHAPTER 5 Look on My Pine Cone Home, Ye Mighty, and Despair! CHAPTER 6 Climate Change and Trees Part II A Tree, Basically CHAPTER 7 Tree Botany CHAPTER 8 Tree Biology CHAPTER 9 Tree Ecology Part III A Slightly Opinionated Guide to North American Trees CHAPTER 10 Spotting Your Tree Pals at the Big Game: How to Use the Tree Guide CHAPTER 11 Gymnosperms CHAPTER 12 Angiosperms CHAPTER 13 UNPOPULAR TREE OPINION: These Two Beloved Trees Are Not Trees Epilogue An Imagined Dialogue Between Myself and a Magnolia Tree Glossary References and Further Reading Acknowledgments About the Author

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Book SynopsisThe remarkable story of Grant Fowlds, a conservationist who has dedicated his life to saving the last rhinos, vividly told with the help of Graham Spence, co-author of the bestselling The Elephant Whisperer.''A terrific read . . . an outstanding book!''Gary Player and Vivienne Player''A truly heart-wrenching story, but a must-read for all who value our wild animals and their right to roam free. Grant Fowlds is a Zulu in a white skin and loves the people who hold the key to animal conservation. This is an intriguing true story that sends a clear message to the rest of the world.''Phil Liggett''Exceptionally readable - a fluid and captivating story . . . a swashbuckling tale.''Dr Dave Cooper, Rhinos Without Borders veterinarian, and Debbie Cooper of iSimangaliso Wetland Park''A rollicking true-life adventure that celebrates rhinos and people''Guy Rogers, Daily HTrade ReviewGrant Fowlds' tireless effort to educate the children of the world, conserve vast expanses of land and save the last rhinos, is truly awe inspiring. As he travels through Africa, gaining the trust of local governments and councils, we start to understand the scope of his undertakings. He reaches out to organizations around the world to aid him in his progress to expand anti-poaching projects, elephant-relocation programmes and even to assist with bringing the lesser-known, glorious gorillas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the attention of the world. But at the forefront of it all, he is doing all he can to Save the Last Rhinos. We, as a race, need to wake up and get on this train. The more we, as individuals, can do to rally support and spread the word, the better chance we have of not seeing the demise and eventual extinction, not only of rhinos, but of all endangered animals. The rehabilitation and conservation of land in Africa is a vital part of this progress, and Grant Fowlds and his team are at the forefront of this war. Read this book. You will get a sense of Africa like never before, from a true African soul. -- David S. Lee, Limbani in the blockbuster movie Black PantherGrant Fowlds' book is an excellent read. It's both sobering, and uplifting at the same time. Sobering because the sheer extent of the rhino-poaching crisis is revealed. Uplifting because Grant, and individuals like him are passionately committed to making a difference. The innovative ways in which they reach the hearts and minds of children, on both sides of the conflict, is impressive. As, too, is his work with communities and other stakeholders. -- Moira Smith, General Manager Africa & Middle East, Goway TravelExceptionally readable - a fluid and captivating story . . . a swashbuckling tale. -- Dr Dave Cooper, Rhinos Without Borders veterinarian, and Debbie Cooper of iSimangaliso Wetland ParkA rollicking true-life adventure that celebrates rhinos and people. -- Guy Rogers * Daily Herald *A terrific read . . . an outstanding book! -- Gary Player and Vivienne PlayerA truly heart-wrenching story, but a must-read for all who value our wild animals and their right to roam free. Grant Fowlds is a Zulu in a white skin and loves the people who hold the key to animal conservation. This is an intriguing story that sends a clear message to the rest of the world. -- Phil Liggett

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Book Synopsis One of the earliest warnings about climate change and one of environmentalism''s lodestars''Nature, we believe, takes forever. It moves with infinite slowness,'' begins the first book to bring climate change to public attention.Interweaving lyrical observations from his life in the Adirondack Mountains with insights from the emerging science, Bill McKibben sets out the central developments not only of the environmental crisis now facing us but also the terms of our response, from policy to the fundamental, philosophical shift in our relationship with the natural world which, he argues, could save us. A moving elegy to nature in its pristine, pre-human wildness, The End of Nature is both a milestone in environmental thought, indispensable to understanding how we arrived here.Trade ReviewPart science and part poetry, a sensitive and provocative essay of alarm, a kind of song for the wild, a lament for its loss, and a plea for its restoration -- Daniel J. Kevles * New York Review of Books *Permeated with the immediacy of the Adirondack Mountains, the trees he can see from his window, the changing seasons, the wild creatures he encounters. An extraordinary book -- Jonathon Porritt * Sunday Telegraph *The fundamental book about the planetary change we are undergoing -- Gaia VinceMcKibben explores the philosophies and technologies that have brought us here, and he shows how final a crossing we have made -- James Gleick

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Book SynopsisBloody ivoryTrade ReviewMasterly account of the massacre of the African elephant

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Book SynopsisYou don’t have to go to the countryside to experience nature; London’s wild spaces and wildlife are much more diverse than we thinkLondon is usually thought of as a place of cars, concrete, lights, noise and pollution, a harsh, unyielding landscape created to accommodate mankind, not wildlife. We rush through the city, focused on our destination, wrapped up in our thoughts, but if you take the time to stop and look you’ll discover that London is teeming with wildlife ready to be discovered and enjoyed. More than 15,000 species of flora, fungi and fauna have been recorded within Greater London. In 2019, for example, there were 139 seal pups born in the Thames, and Croydon  is one of the richest areas for butterflies in the UK.London in the Wild will encourage you to explore the city – from your garden, local parks and community spaces to London’s eclectic wildlife habitats, including wetlands, woodlands and heaths. You’ll discover the secrets of the German Hairy Snail, the day-to-day life of a London tube mouse and the activities of seahorses living in the Thames. 

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive, single source of information on the plants and animals that live alongside us. This updated edition features new material on climate change, recycling and wild spaces in gardens.This friendly handbook is full of practical advice on attracting wildlife to your garden and encouraging creatures to stick around. A helpful introductory section includes expert tips on green gardening, seasonal planting, how to deal with garden predators and how to get children involved in gardening. A DIY chapter, with a step-by-step guide on creating projects for your garden from building nest, bat and hedgehog boxes to making your own pond is also included. From foxes to finches and from lizards to ladybirds, colour photographs illustrate almost 400 garden species, including mammals, birds, insects, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, flowers, trees, shrubs and fungi, while the comprehensive text explains everything you need to cultivate a haven for nature.Trade ReviewNature lovers will find this handbook full of great advice, from seasonal planting through to recycling, with lots of information on climate change, too. * People's Friend *Remarkably comprehensive... This is a great book and one that should be on the shelves of all green-fingered naturalists – whether you’ve a few acres or a window box! -- Steve Willis * British Trust for Ornithology *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Foreword The RSPB Introduction Species Accounts DIY in the Garden Glossary Index Image Credits

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Book SynopsisThere is no place like home.The conditions of Earth are not just good for life, they are perfect. Everything about our planet - its size, its distance from the Sun, its spin and tilt, its moon - is perfectly suited to our existence, and our planet's forces serve to nurture its spectacular biodiversity. A Perfect Planet shows in stunning detail how Earth has always been more than the sum of its parts. Unlike any other astronomical body, it is a living world.Focusing on four key natural forces - global weather systems distributing fresh water to all corners; marine currents delivering nutrients to the deepest reaches of the ocean; solar energy warming and electrifying everything it touches; and volcanic activity fertilising the earth's surface - Huw Cordey reveals to us new levels of this living world, a place populated with astonishing characters living remarkable lives. From Arctic wolves prowling moonlit landscapes or wood frogs, frozen in winter and magically thawing back to life, to flamingos flying thousands of miles to a vast volcanic lake in Africa to breed, we see time and again how animals are perfectly adapted to whatever the environment throws at them.Packed with over 250 full-colour images, and including a foreword by Alastair Fothergill and stills from the BBC series' spectacular footage, A Perfect Planet is a stunning exploration of life on Earth - life that is increasingly precious and rare.

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Book SynopsisBook 4 in Steve Burrows’s gripping Birder Murder mystery series Chief Inspector Domenic Jejeune hopes an overseas birding trip will hold some clues to solving his fugitive brother’s manslaughter case. Meanwhile, in Jejeune’s absence his long-time nemesis has been drafted in as cover to investigate an accountant’s murder. And unfortunately Marvin Laraby proves just a bit too effective in showing how an investigation should be handled. With the manslaughter case poised to claim another victim, Jejeune learns an accident back home in Britain involving his girlfriend, Lindy, is much more than it seems. Lindy is in grave danger, and she needs Jejeune. Soon, he is faced with a further dilemma. He can speak up on a secret he has discovered relating to Laraby’s case, knowing it will cost his job on the north Norfolk coast he loves. Or he can stay silent, and let a killer escape justice. Turns out that sometimes the wrong choice is the only one there is.Trade Review‘It is difficult to know what non-birders might make of all this, but it is different enough to be an interesting addition to the crime genre and worth the read.’ * Bird Watch *'Skillfully written, full of moral ambiguities and artful puzzles, with a spine-tingling final sentence.' * Kirkus starred review *‘The Birder Murders are getting better and better as they come off the presses, with A Shimmer of Hummingbirds the most dazzling of all — so far.’ * 10,000 Birds Blog *‘Action…alternates between Colombia and Norfolk in this enjoyable book, where Burrows’ gift for haunting landscape descriptions is much in evidence.’ * Eastern Daily Press *‘Hummingbirds is a well-constructed examination of the ties that bind and unbind us, at work and within families.’ * Shots Magazine *‘Readers don’t have to be birders to appreciate the two parallel investigations, and the solid police work in a mystery marked by well-developed characters and topical environmental issues. For aficionados of British procedurals.’ * School Library Journal *'Riveting.... Burrows keeps the tension high all the way to the chilling climax. Bird lovers will enjoy the avian lore.' * Publishers Weekly *‘Burrows’ writing improves with every novel, and Jejeune continues to be an exciting, multidimensional, thoroughly engaging series lead. A splendid instalment in a fine series.’ * Booklist *‘A well-paced and plotted story that jumps seamlessly between the frigid climes of the English seashore to the humid rainforests of Colombia.’ * Mystery Scene Magazine *‘Good incidents and a satisfying finish with a strong sense of place.’ * Mystery People *Praise for the Birder Murder Mysteries: 'A murder plot built around birdwatching doesn’t, at first, seem plausible or even possible. But Burrows pulls it off...Riveting from first page to final line.' Globe and Mail 'A suspenseful and well-crafted mystery perfect for the beach.’ Morning Star 'A neatly-constructed and well-told police procedural. If you like north Norfolk you'll feel as though you're there. If you like birds you'll feel as though you're in heaven.' The Bookbag ‘A cleverly written novel that proves A Siege of Bitterns wasn’t just an offbeat one-off. This blend of procedural and cosy is just right for followers of M. C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth.’ Booklist

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Book SynopsisFrom cocoa farming in Ghana to the orchards of Kent and the desert badlands of Pakistan, taking a practical approach to sustaining the landscape can mean the difference between prosperity and ruin. Working with Nature is the story of a lifetime of work, often in extreme environments, to harvest nature and protect it - in effect, gardening on a global scale. It is also a memoir of encounters with larger-than-life characters such as William Bunting, the gun-toting saviour of Yorkshire's peatlands and the aristocratic gardener Vita Sackville-West, examining their idiosyncratic approaches to conservation. Jeremy Purseglove explains clearly and convincingly why it's not a good idea to extract as many resources as possible, whether it's the demand for palm oil currently denuding the forests of Borneo, cottonfield irrigation draining the Aral Sea, or monocrops spreading across Britain. The pioneer of engineering projects to preserve nature and landscape, first in Britain and then around the world, he offers fresh insights and solutions at each step.Trade ReviewPraise for Jeremy Purseglove's Taming the Flood: 'Jeremy Purseglove has a gift that is increasingly rare in these days of scientific specialization - of joining practical wisdom about working with nature and the land to an imaginative appreciation of their place in our history and culture.' -- Richard MabeyA pioneering and counter-culture work -- Oliver RackhamIt is a celebration of life in and around the water and it is an eloquent plea to water engineers, to farmers and to Government to respect that life * BBC Wildlife *

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Book Synopsis"We need to tell you something Lily!" they buzzed. "It's about the wildflowers ..."Lily Katinka thinks she is the most beautiful flower in Dudley's garden. But she's rather worried because Dudley has allowed the end of the lawn to grow wild, and it seems so untidy! Adding to her dismay, the 'ugly weeds and scruffy grasses' are getting a lot of attention from the bees and the butterflies. What is so special about the bottom of the garden? Lily Katinka has to find out ... Perfect for children and families who love a heartwarming and beautifully illustrated story about the hidden world of wildflowers in the garden. This edition features an author's note filled with surprising details about bees - for example, did you know that honey bees make a special food out of pollen called bee bread? A beautiful book inside and out 'An important lesson that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and it's not just looks that take centre stage' ~ Kraftireader 'A beautiful story about a Lily who thinks she's the most important plant in the garden ... engaging and memorable' ~ Goodreads reviewerTrade Review"Wow! Two of my favourite subjects - saving pollinators and flowers - in a book so well written and so unassuming that it surely must appeal to everyone ... The book's language is engaging and memorable, it's educational without preaching or being forceful. Its humour is subtle and the story is easy to read. The artwork is gorgeous, truly beautiful. They are reminiscent of some of the artwork from Edith Holden's "The Country Diary Of An Edwardian Woman" - all floaty poppies, cornflowers and greenery. I absolutely loved them." ~ Goodreads reviewer "What first attracted me to At the Bottom of Dudley's Garden was the theme around the storyline which is the importance of bee friendly plants and flowers in the garden to encourage pollination. The words the author uses are child friendly and warmly introduce children to an important ecological issue that is a vital cog in the wheel of life. The beautiful, stunning illustrations by artist Anna Platts are just so pretty and so idyllic. I found myself dreaming of a garden like Dudley's. At the Bottom of Dudley's Garden is a picture book that would be enjoyed by all and could be the start of a project in a school classroom or at home to create your own bee friendly areas with Humphrey Comfrey, Chloe Clover and Pippa Poppy. It is also an important lesson that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and it's not just looks that take centre stage." ~ Kraftireader - book blogger "A simple, well illustrated childrens story with a real message." ~ Amazon UK

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Book SynopsisFarmland wildlife has been decimated by intensive crop growing using pesticides, grubbing up hedges, ploughing heathland and draining marshes, etc. With too many sheep grazing our moors, hills and mountains, a range of upland plants, invertebrates and birds has been diminished and the land converted to closely-grazed turf, perfect for heavy rain to cause catastrophic downstream floods. Once common farmland birds have declined by 54% since 1970 with farmland invertebrates declining by 40% in a few decades. Since the 1930s a staggering 97% of our once flower-rich meadows has been lost. Ploughing a New Furrow examines these stark figures and in the context of Brexit considers the unprecedented opportunity for wildlife once again to be nurtured by Britain's farmers alongside food production, reversing the enormous plant and animal losses our farmland has suffered. With its financial largesse, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has encouraged farmers to destroy huge areas of wildlife habitat in Britain's lowlands and seriously damage large tracts of our uplands, depleting Britain's farmed land of much of its wildlife. With responsibility for farm policy to be transferred back to the UK, these enormous losses could be reversed and Britain's farms made wildlife-rich once more. This book is based to a significant extent on conversations with farmers and on the achievements and experiences of some farmers who have made good use of agri-environment payments to reinstate lost habitats and manage their remaining wildlife more sensitively. The author sets out the case for removing or capping subsidies, supporting organic and other more sustainable forms of agriculture and the conservation of soils and the rich life forms they hold. He proposes a set of policy changes and other measures that should be adopted by the Government post-Brexit to make the 70% of our land that farming occupies rich in wildlife again. Literally food for thought!Trade Review`the author has researched his subject admirably. …is an informative read about the myriad ways the policy decisions may impact on farm wildlife across the UK. …the author has made this often impenetrable subject approachable’. Plantlife -------------------- `…considers the unprecedented opportunity for wildlife once again to be nutured by Britain’s farmers alongside food production, reversing the enormous plant and animal losses our farmland has suffered’. Wildlife -------------------- `...a timely publication... ...an easy read with an added light in human touch that enhances the chapters... ...provides an informed perspective on the agriculture industry...' ECOS -------------------- `This is a must-read for agricultural and conservation students alike but it will also appeal to farmers, environmental practitioners and anyone that takes an interest in the health of the farmed landscape. The timing of this book has never been more poignant with the backdrop of Brexit. ...this publication serves as an ideal cue to review where we are at with each of these conservation challenges...' BTO - British Trust for Ornithology -------------------- `This is a balanced and informative book that is timely and relevant - a must read for anyone with an interest in farm wildlife issues and the future of farming in the UK'. Butterfly -------------------- `...must be one of the most thought-provoking with regards to farming in the UK and how farming practices and wildlife might coexist in the future. There is so much in this thought-provoking book you must read it...' Dumfries & Galloway Life -------------------- `Malcolm Smith's book comes at a critical time. Farming is on the cusp of a new era in light of Brexit... ...an intelligent and thorough walk through of the issues surrounding farming and wildlife. The subject matter is successfully brought to life through his narrative and it is clear that he is well-versed in the issues through actual experience...' Kate Priestman, Inside Ecology

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Book SynopsisThe term rewilding has become part of the common vernacular and with it has come a lot of misunderstanding and even misuse. This is an informed insight into the challenges and possible solutions, showing what can be achieved by individuals.

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the 2022 Highland Book Prize From Jim Crumley, the "pre-eminent Scottish nature-writer” (Guardian), this landmark volume documents the extraordinary natural life of the Scottish Highlands and bears witness to the toll climate chaos is already taking on our wildlife, habitats and biodiversity – laying bare what is at stake for future generations. A display of head-turning autumn finery on Skye provokes Jim Crumley to contemplate both the glories of the season and how far the seasons themselves have shapeshifted since his early days observing his natural surroundings. After a lifetime immersed in Scotland's landscapes and enriched by occasional forays in other northern lands, Jim has amassed knowledge, insight and a bank of memorable imagery chronicling the wonder, tumult and spectacle of nature’s seasonal transformations. He has witnessed not only nature’s unparalleled beauty, but also how climate chaos and humankind has brought unwanted drama to wildlife and widespread destruction of ecosystems and habitats. In this landmark volume, Jim combines lyrical prose and passionate eloquence to lay bare the impact of global warming and urge us all towards a more daring conservation vision that embraces everything from the mountain treeline to a second spring for the wolf.Trade Review'This is a book from an author that can inspire those with a good knowledge of wildlife but also, I feel, draw in others to that subject through the beauty of the writing and the incisiveness of the observation. A great book, and obviously a book for all seasons.' -- Mark Avery'Jim Crumley … has been our predominant writer on the natural world … [He] is a naturalist with a great gift for observation … His work engages us in the best ways – it addresses us as equals. We are drawn alongside him, to appreciate what he appreciates.' -- Kathleen Jamie

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Book SynopsisA must read for all wildlife lovers' Dominic DyerFoxes, buzzards, crows, badgers, weasels, seals, kites Britain and Ireland's predators are impressive and diverse and they capture our collective imagination. But many consider them to our competition, even our enemies.The problem is that predators eat what we farm or use for sport. From foxes and ravens attacking new-born lambs to weasels eating game-bird chicks, predators compete with us, putting them directly into the firing line. Farming, fishing, sport and leisure industries want to see numbers of predators reduced, and conservation organisations also worry that predators are threatening some endangered species. Other people, though, will go to great lengths to protect them from any harm. This clashing of worlds can be intense. So, what do we do? One of the greatest challenges facing conservation today is how, when and where to control predators. It is a highly charged debate.Mary Colwell travels across the UK and Ireland to encounTrade Review‘Provocative, thought provoking and life affirming. Mary Colwell enters a world steeped in blood, much of it on our hands. A masterpiece of Conservation writing’ Sir Tim Smit of the Eden Project ‘This fascinating – and balanced – book wrestles with our confused, paradoxical relationship with predators … and argues that our relationship with them needs to be evaluated within the context of its history’ The Field ‘There are few more fraught topics than the status of Britain’s larger predators … It takes immense courage to be a voice of calm … and once again Mary Colwell has stepped up to the mark. There is much to learn from this book’ BBC Wildlife ‘Colwell seeks to steer those who legally cull predators towards a more thoughtful stance, while urging others to understand why predators have to be managed’ BBC Countryfile magazine ‘This book made me question what I thought that I knew about species ranging from seals to wolves’ BTO magazine ‘An engaging, balanced and wise book on a contested subject … A lesson both in open-mindedness and in sweet reason’ Jeremy Mynott, author of Birdscapes ‘A brave book … that seeks out a fair-minded variety of opinions … thoroughly researched, indexed and annotated … this honest scrutiny of our relationship with middle-sized British predators is timely, informative and necessary’ Juliet Blaxford

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Book SynopsisRHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening is the perennial and comprehensive guide to the art of wildlife gardening. Fully revised and updated by the author, this beautiful new edition is freshly illustrated and it highlights the changes in garden wildlife over the past 35 years.Trade Review‘As ever this book remains relevant, useful and engaging…and it should be on the bookshelf of every gardener’ * Gardens Illustrated *Table of ContentsPART I WHY MAKE A WILDLIFE GARDEN? WHY WILDLIFE? A SPECIAL ROLE FOR GARDENS PLANNING THE GARDEN AS A HABITAT FOR YOU AND YOUR WILDLIFE PART I I CREATING NEW HABITATS THE WOODLAND EDGE HABITAT HEDGEROWS AND CLIMBERCOVERED SCREENS LIVE-IN LAWNS AND WILDFLOWER MEADOWS GARDEN PONDS AND OTHER ‘WETLANDS’ PART I I I SUPPLEMENTING THE HABITATS COTTAGE GARDEN SERVICE STATION A WILD KITCHEN GARDEN BOOSTING WILDLIFE HABITATS PROPAGATING NATIVE PLANTS A RICH TAPESTRY OF WILDLIFE STUDYING GARDEN WILDLIFE OVER THE GARDEN WALL PART IV USEFUL ADDRESSES INDEXES ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PICTURE CREDITS

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Book SynopsisMushrooms, the first of a major new series of books on British natural history, provides a remarkable insight into the natural and human world of fungi.Peter Marren, in his inimitable, relaxed style, guides the reader through the extraordinary riches of this often overlooked group, from the amazing diversity of forms and lifestyles that populate the fungal landscape, to the pursuit of edible fungi for the pot, and the complexities of identification thrown up by our modern understanding of DNA. Throughout the book, the author tells a story rich in detail about how we have come to appreciate and, in some cases, fear the mushrooms and toadstools that are such an integral part of the changing seasons. Marren also provides a refreshingly candid view of our attempts to name species, the role of fungi in ecosystems, and our recent efforts to record and conserve them.Trade ReviewThe biggest attraction of all is Marren’s writing: quirky, trenchantly observant, sometimes hilarious, full of engaging anecdotes and as far from the soulless impersonal tone of a fungi field guide as it is possible to get. Implausible as it may seem, here indeed is a man’s relationship with mushrooms, in fact, his extravagant love affair with them. It is the single best book on the natural world I have read this year. -- Michael McCarthy * The Independent *A wonderfully eclectic book about the strange world of fungi, by one of the best nature writers in Britain today. -- Stephen Moss * The Guardian *Table of ContentsForeword A fungal autobiography Meet the mushrooms What's in a name? Mushrooms on parade What mushroom is that? Natural habitats In our midst: our fungal neighbours Earthtongues, waxcaps and hedgehogs Scarcity and plenty Forays amongst the funguses The good, the bad and the crazy Picking for the pot Saving mushrooms

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Nature lovers and eco-travellers alike will be drawn in to descriptions of this spectacular environment.."---Lorraine Connolly and Hadiyah Ilyas, The Countryman"[Galápagos] builds on what was already out there and makes it better. . . . It is a thorough and timely treatise on the flora, fauna and ecosystems of this archipelago."---Geoff Carpentier, North Durham Nature Newsletter

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Book SynopsisThis spectacularly illustrated book is the only complete guide to the wildlife and natural history of the vast and beautiful Antarctic region.Covering the Antarctic continent, the southern ocean, and the subantarctic islands, this guide illustrates all of the region''s breeding birds and marine mammals with stunning colour photographs. In addition to the colour plates, it features distribution maps and up-to-date species accounts expertly detailing abundance, seasonal status, and conservation prospects. The volume also covers numerous nonbreeding species, migrants, and vagrants. Regional chapters describe all of the subantarctic islands, in addition to most regularly visited sites in Antarctica, and are accompanied by maps of each area and photographs of each locale. These chapters present detailed information on geography, climate, geology, general ecology, and flora. They also address conservation efforts - past, present, and planned. The book concluTrade ReviewThis is the definitive single-volume guide to the birds and mammals of the vast Antarctic region...this will be invaluable to those interested in the region, whilst indispensable for those planning a trip south. * Good Book Guide *There is a very "live" feel to this book...However, [Shirihai's] style is sufficiently scientific to deliver the necessary detail...Most importantly, he promotes the love and protection of what should be one of the world's most cherished wild places. * W2 Books *This former Birdwatch Bird Book of the Year is in better shape than ever, and a must if you are visiting the region. * Birdwatch *Each species account in the book majors on identification, but also includes summaries if distribution and biology, conservation and taxonomy, and ocean-going birds and mammals get a range map. * Birdwatch *This is a brilliantly and copiously illustrated combination of field guide, handbook and travel guide. * Birds *

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Book SynopsisBat detector surveys are carried out by ecological consultants, researchers, conservationists and hobbyists. Understanding and categorising non-bat sounds in surveys offers the potential of knock-on benefits for informing development projects (e.g. other important records discovered within a site), as well as the possibility of associated conservation benefits. In recent years the number of people carrying out these surveys and recording calls with bat detectors has grown considerably. These surveys often generate vast amounts of audio recordings, resulting in the heavy workload associated with completing the sound analysis and reporting process. Those carrying out analysis can be distracted, intrigued or delayed owing to the occurrence of recordings that are unfamiliar and not identifiable to them. These recordings can relate to ‘difficult to ID’ bat species, but also, often, sounds not related to bats. This can be especially true when noise triggers such as insects, small mammals or birds look like bat-related noise. Therefore, only knowing what bats sound like is not enough. It is extremely useful to know what other sources of noise look and sound like within the same soundscape. This resource will help bat workers, in whatever environment they are in, to be more confident in recognising, categorising and dismissing other sounds. The book includes a substantial downloadable sound library (.wav format) that readers can listen to by ear or process through sound analysis software. Is That a Bat? also caters for sounds that are also heard by ear alone, in the field, during the hours of darkness. These scenarios often have bat surveyors intrigued or confused as to what they are listening to. Occasionally, knowing what these sounds are could be important, or at the very least, of interest. The first chapter caters for the subject overall, including suggestions from the author as to why the subject matter is of value. It also discusses bat-related calls (including social calls) with a view to offering comparisons against the other sources of sound discussed in separate chapters. Continuing through the book, there are chapters covering the following: small mammals; amphibians; insects; birds; electrical/mechanical noise; and other noise/nuisances. Within each chapter there are sub-sections about bat detector recorded sound, sound by ear, as well as advice on techniques and methods to reduce or increase the likelihood of recording other sounds. The book concludes with associated appendices, including a ‘Problem Solving Key’ to help those encountering an unfamiliar sound to narrow it down to the likely source. With technology advancing at pace, the technical ability of the analyst is of huge importance. With a wider perspective and more knowledge, those responsible for interpreting field encounters can be more confident when making decisions about sources of sound. Apart from that, ‘knowing stuff’ makes the job far more interesting and gives the bat worker a greater appreciation of the natural world within which they are working.Trade ReviewIn fact it is an invaluable read and reference for anyone identifying bats through sound analysis at any level, from beginners to the more experienced. .… This book succeeds brilliantly in encouraging appreciation of the rich and varied world of sound around us. These sounds can sometimes confound our attempts to accurately identify bat species from their calls but at the same time they greatly increase our scope for evaluating and enjoying the biodiversity around us (very timely in the context of current multi-taxa monitoring initiatives). It also makes an important contribution to helping raise standards in the acoustic identification of bats. -- Philip Briggs, Bat Conservation Trust.. this is the book highlight for me this year. -- Stuart Newson * BTO News *Very readable book... I expect to use it regularly as a source of reference. I recommend it not just to those members interested in bats and ultrasonics, but to the growing number of us doing nocmig, or using an Audiomoth or other long-term monitoring device. -- Simon Elliott * Wildlife Sound *… a nice overview of problems a non-expert in bat echolocation research might encounter during a nightly excursion, or when analysing their recordings. -- Martin K. Obrist * Bioacoustics *Without a doubt, anyone who intends to record bats in their natural environment, would do well with a copy of this book. -- Al Milano * batdetecting.blogspot.com *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Preamble: Before We Get Started Downloading Files from the Sound Library 1. Well, What On Earth Could It Be? 2. Terrestrial Mammals 3. Birds 4. Amphibians 5. Insects 6. Electronic & Mechanical 7. Weather, People & Other Nuisances References Appendix I Supporting Figures Appendix II Problem Solving Appendix III Useful Additional Resources Appendix IV Test Yourself Appendix V Glossary Index

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Book Synopsis''One of the most notable works of recent nature writing.'' HELEN MACDONALDAfter centuries of absence, wild boar are back in Britain. What does this mean for us and them?Big, messy and mysterious crossing paths with a wild boar can conjure fear and joy in equal measure. Driven to extinction seven hundred years ago, a combination of the species' own tenacity and illegal releases from the 1980s has seen several populations of this beast of myth begin to roam English and Scottish woods once more.With growing worry over the impacts on people and the countryside, the boar's right to exist in Britain has been heavily debated. Their habitat-regenerating actions benefit a host of other wildlife, yet unlike beavers, these ecosystem engineers remain unloved by many. Why is there no clamour to reintroduce them? And, with the few boar in England threatened by poaching and culling, why are we not doing more to prevent their re-extinction?In Grou

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Book SynopsisDr Helen Scales is a marine biologist, acclaimed author and broadcaster who explores the wonders and plight of the oceans and the living planet. Her books, including The Brilliant Abyss and Spirals in Time, have been adapted for stage and screen, and translated into 15 languages. She writes for National Geographic Magazine and the Guardian, teaches at Cambridge University and is a storytelling ambassador for the Save Our Seas Foundation. Helen divides her time between Cambridge, England, and the wild Atlantic coast of France.

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsSECTION 1 - PART 1: WHAT IS A PANGOLIN? EVOLUTION, PHYLOGENY AND TAXONOMY Overview 1. Evolution and morphology 2. Phylogeny and Systematics SECTION 1 - PART 2: WHAT IS A PANGOLIN? BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY AND STATUS 3. The role of pangolins in ecosystems 4. Chinese pangolin Manis pentadactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) 5. Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata (Geoffrey, 1803) 6. Sunda pangolin Manis javanica (Desmarest, 1822) 7. Philippine pangolin Manis culionensis (de Elera, 1915) 8. Black-bellied pangolin Phataginus tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1766) 9. White-bellied pangolin Phataginus tricuspis (Rafinesque, 1820) 10. Giant pangolin Smutsia gigantea (Illiger, 1815) 11. Temminck’s pangolin Smutsia temminckii (Smuts, 1832) SECTION TWO: CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, USE AND TRADE Overview 12. Symbolism, myth and ritual in Africa and Asia 13. Early biogeographies and symbolic use in Europe in the 16th-18th centuries 14. Meat and medicine: historic and contemporary use in Asia 15. Bushmeat and beyond: historic and contemporary use in Africa 16. International trade and trafficking in pangolins, 1900–2018 SECTION THREE: CONSERVATION SOLUTIONS Overview Law enforcement and regulation 17. Conserving pangolins through international and national regulation and effective law enforcement 18. Combatting Illegal Pangolin Trade – A Law Enforcement Practitioner's Perspective 19. Addressing trade threats to pangolins in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) 20. Understanding illegal trade in pangolins through forensics Awareness raising and behaviour change 21. No Longer a Forgotten Species: History, Key Events, and Lessons Learnt from the Rise of Pangolin Awareness 22. Changing consumer behavior for pangolin products Site-based protection and local community engagement 23. Engaging local communities in responses to illegal trade in pangolins: who, why and how? 24. Exploring community benefits to reduce illegal wildlife trade using a theory of change approach 25. Community conservation in Nepal – opportunities and challenges for pangolin conservation 26. The Sunda pangolin in Singapore: a multi-stakeholder approach to research and conservation 27. Holistic approaches to protecting a pangolin stronghold in Central Africa Ex situ conservation 28. Husbandry of pangolins: lessons and challenges 29. Veterinary health and pangolins 30. The rescue, rehabilitation and release of pangolins 31. Zoo Engagement in Pangolin Conservation: Contributions, Opportunities, Challenges, and the Way Forward 32. Evaluating the impact of pangolin farming on conservation Conservation planning, research and finance 33. Conservation strategies and priority actions for pangolins 34. Research needs for pangolins 35. Developing robust ecological monitoring methodologies for pangolin conservation 36. Conservation planning and PHVAs in Taiwan 37. Leveraging support for pangolin conservation and the potential of innovative finance 38. Supporting pangolin conservation through conservation tourism SECTION FOUR: THE FUTURE 39. Taking pangolin conservation to scale: the IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group and the next 20 years

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Book SynopsisThis accessible book describes a fascinating range of emerging infectious disease outbreaks affecting humans, including rabies, Ebola virus, Lyme disease, bubonic plague, and of course, Covid-19. The book also covers emerging infectious diseases in wildlife, such as Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease, white nose syndrome, mange, and musk ox lungworm. These case studies span the entire range of zoonotic disease emergence pathways, from sheep testicles in Wyoming, USA to butchered bush rats in Vietnam! Transmission dynamics are examined from diverse perspectives - from global drivers of pathogen emergence (including globalization, land use patterns, and changing climates) to outbreak epidemiology (epidemic curves and disease spillover), to conservation and control interventions.Despite a recent explosion of courses on the topic, and a viral pandemic that has affected the entire world, this is the first textbook to focus on pathogen spillover ecology at the humanwildlife interface. EmeTable of Contents1: Spillover and emerging infectious diseases 2: The anatomy of disease 3: Descriptive epidemiology of disease outbreaks 4: Surveillance 5: Making simple predictions using models 6: The environment as a pathogen reservoir 7: Reservoir hosts 8: Identifying animal reservoirs during an epidemic 9: Emerging infectious diseases and globalizationDLtravel, trade, and invasive species 10: Climate change and emerging infectious diseases 11: Land use change and emerging infectious diseases 12: Impacts of emerging infectious diseases on wildlife populations 13: Infectious diseases in ecosystems 14: Infectious disease control 15: COVID-19, One Health, and pandemic prevention

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Book SynopsisThe third edition of this established textbook provides an updated and comprehensive overview of the essential background, concepts, and tools required to understand how genetics can be used to conserve species, reduce threat of extinction, and manage species of ecological or commercial importance.Trade ReviewThis textbook is foremost a great reference for upper level undergraduate or graduate courses, as well as a good go-to reference for conservation genetic professionals. As a teaching resource, the plentiful boxes and guest boxes that present recent literature and contextual examples provide great platforms for student discussion and improved comprehension. * S.J. Galla et al., Conservation Genetics *The book nicely complements the theory with real-world examples and provides important background reading, which I would recommend to each student starting a conservation genomics project. Informed conservationists will also benefit from the overview on what is possible with today's technologies. The authors did an excellent job in summarizing the recent developments and included the most recent discussion in the literature. * G. Segelbacher, Evolutionary Applications *This book provides a solid background on theory and concepts and demonstrates how they underpin the interpretation of genomic data. This is a strength that will see this book stay as one of the few key textbooks in conservation genetics in the future. It is straight to the point and ideal for those coming to grips with the world of conservation genomics. * L.E. Neaves, Biodiversity and Conservation *This book provides conservation biologists with an ideal way to get acquainted with evolutionary genetics and the use of genomics in conservation science. It will help readers gain insightful understanding of the theory of population genetics that underpins conservation genetics. The study of conservation genetics and genomics is assisted by a comprehensive glossary, which even sheds light on such unusual terms as gnomics! If you are using or planning to use a genomic approach in conservation, go for this edition; it will be invaluable. * G. Sramkó, Conservation Biology *Table of ContentsPreface PART I: INTRODUCTION 1: Introduction 2: Phenotypic Variation in Natural Populations 3: Genetic Variation in Natural Populations 4: Population Genomics PART II: MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTIONARY CHANGE 5: Random Mating Populations: Hardy-Weinberg Principle 6: Small Populations and Genetic Drift 7: Effective Population Size 8: Natural Selection 9: Population Subdivision 10: Beyond Individual Loci 11: Quantitative Genetics 12: Mutation PART III: EVOLUTIONARY RESPONSE TO ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGES 13: Hybridization 14: Invasive Species 15: Exploited Populations 16: Climate Change PART IV: CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT 17: Inbreeding Depression 18: Demography and Extinction 19: Population Connectivity 20: Units of Conservation 21: Conservation Breeding and Restoration 22: Genetic Identification 23: Genetic Monitoring 24: guest chapter author Helen R. Taylor: Conservation Genetics in Practice Glossary COMPANION WEBSITE MATERIALS (Available at www.oup.com/companion/AllendorfCGP3e ) Appendix: Probability, Statistics, and Coding References

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Book Synopsis''For many years I had wanted to start a zoo . . . any reasonable person smitten with an ambition of this sort would have secured the zoo first and obtained the animals afterwards. but throughout my life I have rarely if ever achieved what I wanted by tackling it in a logical fashion.''A Zoo in My Luggage is Gerald Durrell''s account of his attempt to set up his own zoo, after years spent gathering animals for other zoos. Journeying to Cameroon, he and his wife collected numerous mammals, birds and reptiles, including Cholmondely the chimpanzee and Bug-eye the bush-baby.But their problems really began when they attempted to return with their exotic menagerie. Not only had they to get them safely home to Britain but they also had to find somewhere able and - most of all - willing to house them.Told with wit and a zest for all things furry and feathered, Gerald Durrell''s A Zoo in My Luggage is a brilliant account of how a pioneer of wildlife preservation came to found a new type of zoo.Trade ReviewA renegade who was right . . . He was truly a man before his time -- Sir David AttenboroughDurrell has an uncanny knack of discovering human as well as animal eccentricities * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisHow to describe the ecstatic song of larks? How the writers and poets have tried...Skylarks are the heralds of our countryside. Their music is the quintessential sound of spring. The spirit of English pastoralism, they inspire poets, composers and farmers alike. In the trenches of World War I they were a reminder of the chattering meadows of home.Perhaps you were up with the lark, or as happy as one. History has seen us poeticise and musicise the bird, but also capture and eat them. We watch as they climb the sky, delight in their joyful singing, and yet we harm them too. The Soaring life of the Lark explores the music and poetry; the breath-taking heights and struggle to survive of one of Britain''s most iconic songbirds.PRAISE FOR JOHN LEWIS-STEMPEL''Britain''s finest living nature writer'' - The Times''Lewis-Stempel is a fourth-generation farmer gifted with an extraordinary ability to write prose that soars and sings'' - Daily Mail

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