Conservation of wildlife and habitats Books

Book SynopsisLast Chain on Billie charts the growing movement to rescue performing elephants from lives of misery, and tells the story of how one emotionally damaged elephant overcame her past and learned to trust humans again.

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR WRITING ON CONSERVATION''Full of joy, pathos, warmth, integrity and intrigue.'' AMY-JANE BEER''One of the most notable works of recent nature writing.'' HELEN MACDONALD''A thrilling expedition into a wild, unruly world.'' LEE SCHOFIELD ''Gently thought-provoking and beautifully written.'' LEIF BERSWEDEN''The remarkable story of Britain's wild boar.'' THE GUARDIAN''A real page-turner.'' STEPHEN MOSSAfter 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 woTrade ReviewMagnificent. An elegant, enlivening and profoundly on-point portrait of a forgotten icon, and our struggle to reconcile ourselves to its return. Read cover to cover with absolute relish. * Amy-Jane Beer *Written with great passion and insight, Groundbreakers examines the joys and challenges that come with living alongside resurgent Wild Boar ... A timely and vital addition to the conservation writing canon. * Lee Schofield, author of Wild Fell *I've had the privilege of reading this book in advance, and I can tell you it's a gem. * Eoghan Daltun *Groundbreakers is a real page-turner, as Chantal Lyons delves back in time and forward into the future to tell the fascinating story of Britain's only truly big, fierce mammal: the wild boar. * Stephen Moss *The wild boar is lucky to have Lyons. -- Adam Weymouth * The Sunday Times *Groundbreakers is a charming and impressively balanced account that's as important for our society as rootings are to the forest floor * Leif Bersweden, author of Where the Wildflowers Grow *Deeply researched and beautifully written. -- Michael Odell * The Times *A well-researched, important, and intimate study of the frequently misunderstood wild boar. With a burgeoning human population, Lyons does not shy away from the issues of their increasing spread into our midst, writing with balance and humour, as well as concern for the future welfare of this fascinating keystone species. * Polly Pullar, author of The Horizontal Oak *A fine book about a very interesting species ... This boarish book is neither borish nor boring. * Mark Avery *Meticulously researched, carefully judged and passionately argued, in Groundbreakers Chantal Lyons unleashes a sounder of captivating prose. An unflinching book on both the challenges and triumphs of rewilding and a fascinating exploration of Britain's forests and their wildest inhabitants. * Joe Shute, author of Forecast *A fascinating, joyful study of one of the less glamorous cover stars of the rewilding movement. In this balanced and thoughtful book, we are invited to be bolder and braver in our relationship to the natural world, and not to fear change in a changing world - especially with an animal that has, until just a few centuries ago, helped engineer our collective landscape. * Tiffany Francis-Baker *A marvellous book … It is both timely and profound. * Sophie Yeo, Inkcap Journal *A delightful, page-turning, exploration of nature's resilience, that asks all the right questions about the future of natural history on these isles. * Jules Howard *Conversations about whether we should or should not have wild boar in Britain are redundant now. They're already here, and this rich and readable book goes a long way towards helping us understand our new neighbours. * Patrick Laurie *If you, like me, were unaware that “repigging” might just be the key to reviving Europe's biodiversity, then prepare to have your eyes opened by this warm and intrepid book. Groundbreakers is a charming, compulsively readable tribute to an unlikely keystone species. * Ben Goldfarb, author of Crossings and Eager *The whole hog ... Groundbreakers is rich in evocative accounts of Lyons’ own solitary, wonder-charged encounters with the elusive animals -- Rachel Aspden * The Guardian *Groundbreakers is an inspiring book on many levels. Not only did it have me rooting for the wild boar, whose return to our depleted countryside is clearly an ecological necessity; it also made me think long and hard about our relationship with the natural world and why we all need more wildness in our lives. Beautifully written, combining the authority of a serious naturalist with the poetry, humour and curiosity of a seriously gifted writer. I loved it. * Mike Unwin *Table of ContentsIntroduction PART ONE: PAST AND PRESENT Chapter 1: An End and a Beginning Chapter 2: A Wild Boar Chase Chapter 3: Guys, Dolls and Humbugs Chapter 4: Monstrous Appetites Chapter 5: Re-Pigging Chapter 6: This Is Our Land Chapter 7: The Boar People (Part I) Chapter 9: Mad About the Boar Chapter 8: The Boar People (Part II) Chapter 10: To Kill a Boar PART TWO: FUTURES Chapter 11: A Bamboche of Boar Chapter 12: Mind-Forged Fences Chapter 13: Losing Them Again Chapter 14: The Risks of Being Alive Epilogue

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Book SynopsisThe Tasmanian devil is threatened by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a transmissible form of cancer that has reduced the population by over 80%. This book documents the journey taken by organisations in discovering what DFTD is, the effect it has on wild devil populations, and the outcomes achieved through research and management actions.Trade Review"The information gleaned from such a research compendium will be an invaluable resource for future management of this delightful and unusual species. This publication is a credit to the large dedicated team that has thrown themselves wholeheartedly into raising awareness of this species and trying to save it from extinction." -- Katherine Moseby * The Quarterly Review of Biology 95(4) *"A convenient, authoritative and objective synthesis." -- Ian Abbott * Pacific Conservation Biology 26(4) *

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Book SynopsisVisitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park are likely to see a variety of wildlife, from the small and difficult to observe to the large and spectacular. A wide assortment of animals— salamanders, turtles, lizards, snakes, birds, deer, and bears—inhabit the park. Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park focuses on the park’s fur-bearing animals that nurse their young.The first edition of Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park was published in 1971, and significant changes have transpired in the past forty-five years: new species have been discovered in the park, reintroductions—some successful and one unsuccessful—have occurred, and a number of taxonomic revisions have taken place. This updated edition contains accounts of seventy-two of the park’s mammals, including opossums, shrews, moles, bats, rabbits, rodents, wolves, raccoons, pumas, and other carnivores and deer and elk. Donald W. Linzey, who began working in the park in 1963, draws on his extensive research background and combines it with the notes of Arthur Stupka, former chief naturalist and park biologist, and many others who have contributed to knowledge of the mammals in the park. Several new features have been added to the third edition, including the origins of genus and species names, photographs of new species, and skull drawings of some species, which illustrate distinct features. To honor the park’s Cherokee heritage, the Cherokee names for many mammals are now given along with their English names. Written for laymen and biologists alike, Linzey discusses the distribution, habitat, food habits, predation, and reproductive habits of mammals ranging from the pigmy shrew to the conspicuous black bear.

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Book SynopsisOn the night Ntombi was born, her mother narrowly escapes the poachers hunting her. Desperate to keep her baby safe Ntombi’s mother seeks the safety of the crash in the Dwala Safari Park. Weeks later, two pampered and spoilt children Abigail, and Dexter arrive on holiday. Little do they know that their lives are set to change forever after they meet the rhino. Tragedy strikes when Ntombi's mother is shot after a bush fire, and she must face the vast wilderness without her mother's protection. With the help of two unlikely friends in the form of a tiny oxpecker bird and a scruffy baboon. Will the trio find safety, and will Abigail and Dexter find the little rhino before it’s too late?

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Book SynopsisWhen little Poppy visited the zoo, she met Tulsi, the last tiger in the world, and embarked on an unforgettable adventure. "Are you going to eat me?" asked Poppy, who had noticed a large sign saying, 'Beware of the tiger'. "Certainly not," replied the old tiger. "And, besides, I've lost my teeth," he smiled. "Can you help me find them?" Thus began a magical journey deep within the enchanted forests of India. Saba Douglas-Hamilton, Samburu National Reserve, Kenya: "Dr Chet Trivedy, has dedicated his life to improving the health of his patients. Having also turned his hand to tiger conservation, he now blends his background in medicine with his love for wildlife in this charming tale to bring some of India's less-known creatures, like the dhole and gaur, into the spotlight. Through the eyes of an elderly tiger that befriends a young girl, the reader departs on a quest to encounter some of the charismatic creatures that live in the jungles of India. Gently woven into the tales of each of these lovable characters are important lessons about the health challenges children face all over the world today, from which we can all learn." Profits from this book will go to the Tulsi Foundation www.tulsifoundation.co.uk a non-profit organisation that with the support of WCT, an Indian wildlife charity, has trained over 1,100 rangers in 14 tiger reserves across three states in Central India. Support of these staff is playing a key role in keeping Tulsi the tiger and jungle friends safe and well for generations to come.

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Book SynopsisThis book addresses the multidisciplinary challenges in biodiversity conservation with a focus on wildlife crime and how forensic tools can be applied to protect species and preserve ecosystems. Illustrated by numerous case studies covering different geographical regions and species the book introduces to the fundamentals of biodiversity conflicts, outlines the unique challenges of wildlife crime scenes and reviews latest techniques in environmental forensics, such as DNA metagenomics. In addition, the volume explores the socio-economic perspective of biodiversity protection and provides an overview of national and international conservation laws. The field of conservation medicine stresses the importance of recognizing that human health, animal health, and ecosystem health are inextricably interdependent and the book serves as important contribution towards achieving the UN Sustainable Developmental Goals, in particular SDG 15, Life on Land. The book addresses graduate students, scientists and veterinary professionals working in wildlife research and conservation biology.Trade Review“The authors do an admirable job of presenting an overview of the many and complex aspects of the field. Sprinkled throughout the chapters are case studies illustrating practical applications of the concepts discussed. … this book does a good job of introducing readers to a variety of topics … . This text would be more valuable as a reference and planning tool for those interested in wildlife conservation as it applies to forensic investigations and the One Health approach.” (Rebecca Kagan, The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 97 (2), June, 2022)Table of ContentsI. The Impact of Humans on Conservation The Importance of Biodiversity Conservation amidst Human-Wildlife Conflict One Health Concerns Wildlife Crime & Conservation Placing Humans in the Ecological Equation Wildlife Management and EcotourismII. Forensics & Conservation The Intersection of Forensics and Conservation- (Intro to conservation forensics) Processing the Wildlife Crime Scene Evidence of Forensic Importance in Wildlife CasesIII. Tools & Techniques of Conservation Forensics The Conservation of Threatened & Endangered Species The Application of Forensic Entomology and Carrion Ecology Wildlife Forensic Genetics Wildlife Forensic Toxicology Wildlife Forensic Pathology Working Dogs in Conservation Forensics IV. Special Topics: Fish, Reptiles and Marine Mammals – Issues and Identification Avian Species – Issues and Identification Mammals – Issues and Identification DNA Databases? Isotopic Analysis Cybercrime and Wildlife Products Developments in Wildlife Forensic Standards Wildlife Law and Legal ConcernsV. Case Studies Saving Africa’s Elephants (include forensics) Rhinos in Crisis (include forensics) Mountain Gorillas, a conservation success story (may include forensics) Few other case studies to represent multiple geographic regions, types of species, and how forensics has been utilized whether it be genetics, crime scene, database, pathology etc: North America Central/South America Europe – birds of prey; bird hunting (Scotland) Asia Australia/NZ – 1080 poisonings

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Book SynopsisWritten by an author with longstanding experience in the ecology of insects and birds and with a stellar academic record in molecular life sciences, this is a welcome challenge to the widely held beliefs in conventional environmental policies. Werner Kunz convincingly explains why maintaining high biodiversity in Europe depends heavily on the existence of open space and sparse ground vegetation that is neither used for intensive modern agriculture, nor eliminated by reforestation. He questions the commonly propagated opinion that nature conservation is equivalent to species protection - and shows that technical habitat design can rescue endangered species. A must-have for environmental agencies, policy makers, ecologists and all who are witnessing the current loss of species in Central Europe.Table of ContentsPreface Aims of the book What is nature? What is nature protection? Mythos wood Ideological burden of the idea of nature conservation The prime objective of National parks in Central Europe is not rescue of endangered species Threats to biodiversity in Europe differ from threats in other continents. What makes Neozoa so special? Regional Red lists of endangered species mainly aim at cultural heritage protection, not species protection. Dramatic decrease of Central European bird and butterfly species during the last decades. Conservation biology is not the same as species conservation. Protection of the environment is not the same as species protection. Military training grounds, industrial and urban areas as last refuges of endangered species. Man as antagonist of nature. Land sparing vs. land sharing (separation of areas for species from areas for agriculture) Active manipulation of habitats as a solution against species extinction. Winter feeding of birds and nesting boxes as interference factors of ecological equivalence Golden Plover, Godwit and Great Bustard: examples of European breeding birds on manipulated habitats. Who kills more birds: Mediterranean hunters or cats? The importance of population genetics for species protection List of species Glossary

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Book SynopsisThe role of non-native species in their new environments is one of the central issues in conservation biology and ecology today. This book presents a comprehensive evolutionary exploration of the complex and dynamic interactions between introduced species and native ones, and shows that non-native species can bring useful and important contributions to novel ecosystems. Based on a wide variety of examples and case studies, a strong case is made for a more positive and objective approach to non-native species and a greater appreciation of the valuable ecosystem services they provide.Trade ReviewRadu Guiaşu has written a thoughtful and critical review of our ideas about nonnative species. An aquatic ecologist, Guiaşu questions the common notion that introduced species represent a major global ecological calamity. This is a must read for anyone interested in conservation and biodiversity. - Mark A. Davis, Professor of Biology, Macalester College, St. Paul, MN Radu Guiaşu's book adds a welcome new voice to the growing chorus of conservation "heretics" calling for comprehending—rather than reflexively confronting—introduced species, and for accommodating them wherever that accomplishes the greater good. - Matthew K Chew Ph.D., Arizona State University, Center for Biology & Society Dr. Guiasu has performed a Herculean task of covering the field of invasive species from a wide and diverse angle. He has expertly both covered and critiqued a large scientific field with a style of writing that makes this a joy to read. Although the scientific depth is apparent, Dr. Guiasu has deftly presented the ideas such that experts and non-experts will be informed, entertained, and challenged to think about one of the foremost threats to nature. Rather than just report findings, Dr. Guiasu presents the field of invasive biology with all of the successes and faults in an open way allowing the reader to draw their own nuanced conclusions. This book is destined to become a staple reading for biologists in any field, but an essential read for ecologists and conservation biologists. This book will be added to the required reading list for my students. - Dr. Paul A. Moore Ph.D., Biology Department, Bowling Green State UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgements ix Introduction 1 1 The Troublesome Matter of Subjective Definitions 8 2 The Dynamic Distributions of Species and the Static Concept of Native Range 38 3 Speciation, Biodiversity, and Introduced Species 57 4 The Controversies Regarding the Perceived Negative Impacts of Non-native Species 83 5 Positive Contributions of Introduced Species 139 6 Changing Ecosystems and Impacts of Introduced Species over Time 160 7 The Endless War on Invasive Species – Control and Eradication Programs 203 8 Some Conclusions and Some Questions 244 Literature Cited 277 Index 309

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Book SynopsisIn Loe Bar and the Sandhill Rustic Moth, Adrian Spalding examines the survival of plants and animals on Loe Bar, a shingle beach on the coast of Cornwall, in the context of its history, geomorphology and exposure to the Atlantic environment. He develops these themes within a detailed study of the Sandhill Rustic moth that endures this harsh environment where storm surges, high salinity, high temperatures, strong winds and burial by sand affect the wildlife that occurs there.Trade Review"I dare to suggest that this book should become a classic, of which I am reminded of the original 'Natural History of Selborne'." - Dr Chris Page (Former Principal Scientific Officer of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh). "Armed with the considerable amount of information provided, the author has ensured that the reader has much to mull over while enjoying this highly informative book. [...] this book follows the foundation and examples provided by E.B. Ford (1955) and Young (1997) in generating an inquisitiveness about the natural world and in demonstrating what can be achieved with dedicated study." - The editor of Butterfly, the magazine of Butterfly Conservation. [A] pleasure to read, partly because he doesn’t use technicalities or jargon, and also because Spalding takes as much delight in the Bar’s story, its shipwrecks, its storms and shifting sands, and its well-adapted denizens, as he does in the fortunes of L.nickerlii leechi. His study of a small, rare moth and its habitat has the makings of a grass-blade classic. - Peter Marren in British Wildlife (January 2016). At 346 pages, it is not a short read, but it is well worth it for its fascinating cultural history (think Poldark), the natural history of the many creatures that inhabit the bar, but above all the painstaking observations of the moth itself. This is an immaculate study of a corner of Britain by a prominent entomologist who clearly loves and cares about its future. Dr Martin Warren in Butterfly (Spring 2016, p. 34). "Adrian Spalding has studied Loe Bar and its biota for many years since 1984, and the history and biology of the Sandhill Rustic and its environment (based largely on the author’s work) is encapsulated in this impressive book. [...] The book is a valuable contribution to the region’s natural history, as a thought-provoking and informative account of a highly specialised association and the conservation approaches that may be illuminated by long-term detailed documentation and study. It illustrates well the ecological detail and background information that contribute to practical conservation of taxa, and is an object lesson for emulation elsewhere." - Tim R. New (La Trobe University, Melbourne) in Journal of Insect Conservation (March 2016). "Readers will find plentiful information at their disposal to guide them through the intricate relationship of both moth and bar and to generate their own thoughts. First, there is the profusion of figures, maps, tables, citations, and photographs –many attractively in colour – accompanying the text. Second, the author builds a solid context for the plants [...] and animals found on Loe Bar and on similar features around the British coast [...] Third, and of huge importance for understanding the moth, there is an extensive, in depth study of the genus Luperina elsewhere, not just over Britain but over europe. Most intriguing and vital are the details on other coastal populations (distinguished by the author as subspecies) of Luperina nickerlii in Britain (i.e. leechi, demuthi, gueneei, knilli) and on mainland europe (e.g. nickerlii, graslini, tardenota, albarracina), including their biology, biogeography, ecology and genetics." - R. L. H. Dennis in Entomologist’s Gazette (2016) Vol. 67, p. 82-84.Table of ContentsForeword by Professor Jeremy Thomas OBE Acknowledgements Preamble Chapter 1. Man and The Bar Chapter 2. Formation, Geology and Physical Processes Chapter 3. Plants Chapter 4. Sand Couch Grass Chapter 5. Mammals, Birds and Invertebrates Chapter 6. Moths on Loe Bar Chapter 7. The Sandhill Rustic Moth on Loe Bar in the context of the European Populations Chapter 8. The Sandhill Rustic on Loe Bar Chapter 9. The Past and The Future Appendix 3.1. National Vegetation Classification communities on Loe Bar 2012 Appendix 9.1. Threats to the Sandhill Rustic moth from predicted sea-level rise - in the forefront of climate change Scientific names of plants listed in the text Scientific names of birds, animals and invertebrates listed in the text References Index

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Book SynopsisPrivate wildlife conservation is booming business in South Africa! Nick Steele stood at the cradle of this development in the politically turbulent 1970s and 1980s, by stimulating farmers in Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) to pool resources in order to restore wilderness landscapes, but at the same time improve their security situation in cooperative conservancy structures. His involvement in Operation Rhino in the 1960s and subsequent networks to save the rhino from extinction, brought him into controversial military (oriented) networks around the Western world. The author’s unique access to his private diaries paints a personal picture of this controversial conservationist.Table of ContentsList of Figures and Maps List of Acronyms Maps Introduction: Focusing on the subjectivities and setting the interpretive scene An iconic species in nature conservation: the rhinoceros in Africa The personal archive of Nick Steele The aesthetics of landscape in nature conservation Methodological considerations Structure of the book Chapter 1: Picturing landscape… and what comes with it Game rangers’ memoirs and landscape Landscape construction ‘Camps’ in the landscape A metaphor of aestheticized landscapes: the Claude Mirror Conservation landscapes in South Africa Chapter 2: Rhino’s political role in wildlife conservation The idea of rhino Nick Steele and saving the rhino Networking with the military to save the rhino Nick Steele and the ANC-IFP struggle Rhino conservation as ‘bush war’ Rhino as Steele’s ‘totem’? Chapter 3: Longing for Zululand landscapes: Nick Steele transferred to Natal Steele transferred from Zululand Reserves to Natal Midlands Nick Steele on issues of race in South Africa Nick Steele’s disillusionment with Natal’s landscapes Nick Steele’s friendship with Mongosuthu Buthelezi Chapter 4: Private wildlife conservancies: providing security The Farm Patrol Plan: getting things started Game guards: the backbone of conservancies The success of the conservancy concept: going across national borders Recent trends in private wildlife conservation: game farming Chapter 5: Summary and Conclusions Acknowledgements and Brief Methodological Reflections References Index

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Book SynopsisNature conservation in southern Africa has always been characterised by an interplay between Capital, specific understandings of Morality, and forms of Militarism, that are all dependent upon the shared subservience and marginalization of animals and certain groups of people in society. Although the subjectivity of people has been rendered visible in earlier publications on histories of conservation in southern Africa, the subjectivity of animals is hardly ever seriously considered or explicitly dealt with. In this edited volume the subjectivity and sentience of animals is explicitly included. The contributors argue that the shared human and animal marginalisation and agency in nature conservation in southern Africa (and beyond) could and should be further explored under the label of ‘sentient conservation’. Contributors are Malcolm Draper, Vupenyu Dzingirai, Jan-Bart Gewald, Michael Glover, Paul Hebinck, Tariro Kamuti, Lindiwe Mangwanya, Albert Manhamo, Dhoya Snijders, Marja Spierenburg, Sandra Swart, Harry Wels.Table of ContentsList of Figures and Tables List of Acronyms and Abbreviations Notes on Contributors Introduction: People, Animals, Morality, and Marginality:Reconfiguring Wildlife Conservation in Southern Africa Jan- Bart Gewald, Marja Spierenburg, and Harry Wels Part 1 Animals in Wildlife Conservation 1 A Cattle- Centred History of Southern Africa? Michael Glover 2 Brothers in Arms: Baboon- Human Interactions, a Southern African Perspective Jan- Bart Gewald 3 Rewilding White Lions: Conservation through the Eyes of Carnivores? Harry Wels Part 2 Histories in Wildlife Conservation 4 National Parks, Eco- Frontiers, and Transfrontiersmanship in Southern African Conservation Malcolm Draper 5 Resurrection Conservation: The Return of the Extinct? Sandra Swart Part 3 Politics of Wildlife Conservation 6 The Emergence and Socio- Economic Impacts of Wildlife Ranching in South Africa Marja Spierenburg 7 ‘If It Pays, It Stays’: The Lobby for Private Wildlife Ranching in South Africa Tariro Kamuti 8 Controlling Sex and Death: On the Wildlife Trophy Industry in South Africa Dhoya Snijders Part 4 Critical Voices in Wildlife Conservation 9 Continued State Monopoly and Control of Community-Based Natural Resource Management in Zimbabwe: The Care of Hurungwe’s CAMPFIRE Programme Vupenyu Dzingirai, Albert Manhamo, and Lindiwe Mangwanya 10 Poaching: Between Conservation from Below, and Livelihoods and Resistance Paul Hebinck Index

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Book SynopsisA fun-filled outdoor adventure handbook bursting with ideas to help kids discover the great outdoors and get closer to nature.

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Book SynopsisThis fun-filled RHS outdoor adventure handbook is bursting withideas to help kids discover and get closer to the wonderful worldof nature.

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsList of photographs of bird habitats Acknowledgements Key abbreviations used in this book Introduction - Area of coverage - The British avifauna - The criteria selection of Red Data species - The species selected and future candidates - The contents of species texts Species texts Bird habitats in Britain Threats to bird survival in Britain Bird conservation in Britain Future action for birds Appendices: Population estimates of British breeding and wintering birds Red Data birds species list: criteria for selection and index to species accounts Red Data Bird candidate species Index

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Book SynopsisFew animals face as violent, as well organised, and as determined an enemy as the world's rhinos. Across the continent, rhinos are being slaughtered on a daily basis and approximately 5,000 black rhinos and 21,000 white rhinos are all that prevent Africa's rhinos from extinction.

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Book SynopsisJeff Martin explores the Tawny Owl's natural history in the greatest detail. Where controversy has arisen in the literature, he has put forward all points of view so the reader can make his or her own judgements. There seems nothing concerning the biology of this owl that Jeff has not researched.' - Derek Bunn, author of The Barn Owl The haunting calls of the Tawny Owl can be heard from Scandinavia in the north of its range to North Africa in the south. Most people would consider it to be a common and widespread species throughout Europe, but populations in Britain at least are declining, and we need to understand more about the behaviour and ecology of this magnificent woodland bird if its future is to be secured.Jeff Martin has been studying owls for decades, and in this timely book he combines his personal observationstogether with those of other ornithologists and a comprehensive review of the literature, resulting in some surprising revelations. It was not long ago,

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Book SynopsisONE OF 2015''S BOOKS OF THE YEAR IN THE TIMES AND THE MAIL ON SUNDAY.A hard-hitting, passionate and well-researched book about the conflict between driven grouse shooting and nature conservation in Britain, with a foreword by Chris Packham.Driven grouse shooting, where flocks of Red Grouse are chased by lines of beaters so that they fly over lines of guns' that shoot the fast-flying birds, is a peculiarly British fieldsport. It is also peculiarly British in that it is deeply rooted in the British class system. This multi-million pound business dominates the hills of the north of England the Pennines, the North Yorkshire Moors, the Cheviots and throughout Scotland. Grouse shooting is big business. VERY big business And backed by powerful, wealthy lobbying groups, its tendrils run throughout British society. Inglorious makes the case for banning driven grouse shooting. The facts and arguments are presented fairly but the author, Mark Avery, states froTrade ReviewA powerful indictment of the grouse-shooting industry and its illegal shooting and propaganda war against the hen harrier. * the Guardian *No other book this year put the cat amongst the pigeons (or rather, the game birds) like Avery's impassioned investigation into driven grouse shooting and its impact on moorland ecology. * The Times *This is a book you must read whether or not you support such shooting. * Highland News Group *Pacy and passionate, this is nature writing that insists you sit up and take note. -- Stephanie Cross * The Lady *Mr Avery writes with a light touch and endearing self-depreciation. He's passionate (obsessed?) about the hen harrier. * Country Life *Table of ContentsForeword Preface Chapter 1: The harrier harried Chapter 2: A short introduction to grouse shooting Chapter 3: Langholm - the end of the beginning Chapter 4: The battle lines are drawn Chapter 5: The beginning of the end - 2014 Chapter 6: The sunlit uplands Chapter 7: End game Chapter 8: Another year of progress Further reading Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisLearn how to de-stress, relax and connect with the wildness you can find on your doorstep even in urban and suburban settings.Increasing workload, nervous tension, trouble sleeping? Wondering whether there is more to life? You're not having a mid-life crisis. Like so many others, you are feeling the call of the wild.Today's urban living makes it easy for us to feel divorced from nature. This practical book is filled with 52 varied and inspiring activities illustrated with beautiful colour photographs that will get you out and about whatever the weather.Featuring a combination of creative, culinary, herbal and mindful projects, all with nature at their heart, you'll be surprised how much wildness you can find on your doorstep when you know where to look.Organised by month, Urban Wild's simple, seasonal, step-by-step activities open the door to nature in urban and suburban landscapes to help you increase your potential for health and well-being and take your first steps on Trade ReviewGorgeous new book… packed with tips to help even the most ardent city dwellers connect with the natural world. * Daily Mirror *This beautifully illustrated book promises to “get you out and about” with first steps towards a lifelong relationship with flora and fauna. * BBC Countryfile *…includes a wide range of activities to help you connect with the wildness close to home. * Countryside Magazine, Book of the Month *Organised by month, this book’s simple, seasonal activities open the door to nature in urban and suburban landscapes to help you learn how to de-stress and reconnect with the natural world on your doorstep. * Easy Gardens *Offers a plethora of ideas on how you too can reconnect with nature even if you live in a city. * Irish Examiner *Filled with 52 varied and inspiring activities illustrated with beautiful colour photographs, to get you out and about whatever the weather. * Garden News *For both avid nature lovers and novice outdoorspeople, Urban Wild unlocks the beauty available right under our noses, no matter where we live. -- Melissa Norstedt * Booklist *With nature at their heart, [step-by-step activities] provide a combination of creative, culinary, herbal and mindful seasonal projects. * Garden News *Table of ContentsThe planting of the seed A note on safety January Take a tree shower Sounds of nature Landscape navigation Wild pot-pourri February Micro-pilgrimage Valentines for the birds Animal tracking Home spa facial March Be out in a storm (or at least watch one) Make a spring flower bouquet Plant a nectar bar Eat wild spring pesto Spring wild weather activity: Homemade reed diffusers April Plant something and watch it grow Watch for the first swallows Make nettle cordial Foraged pakoras May Make daisy oil Sleep in a hammock Make a natural gratitude journal Honour your feet June Make rose petal gin Make elderflower champagne Afternoon tea ceremony Find a sit spot Summer wild weather activity: Make herbal gin bags July Get to water Make mojito jellies Savour a plant Cloud watching August Go camping Look at the stars Sit by a fire Swim in the sea September Wild herbal balms Bountiful berries and the art of eating mindfully Wild mocktails Rose hip vinegar Autumn wild weather activity: Make a plaster print October Wild berry jelly Make a bulb lasagne Autumn light photography Carve a pumpkin November Make something and burn it Scrumped apple pies Go on a night walk Plant a tree (even indoors) December Christmas wreath walk Bake bread on a skillet See a sunrise Know when enough is enough Winter wild weather activity: Make an ice glob Further reading Resources Image credits Index

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Book SynopsisPost-war Afghanistan is fragile, volatile, and perilous. It is also a place of extraordinary beauty. Evolutionary biologist Alex Deghan came to Afghanistan and created a startup, Conservation X Labs, to save Afghanistan's unique and extraordinary wildlife and natural landscape after decades of war. His workplace was so remote that roads themselves would disappear, and travel was by foot, yak, or mule, following ancient pathways for weeks into the mountain kingdoms and desolate landscapes.Conservation, it turned out, provided a common bond between Alex's team and the people of Afghanistan, where his international team worked unarmed in some of the most dangerous places in the country. They successfully built the country's first national park, completed the first wildlife survey in thirty years, and worked to stop the poaching of the country's iconic endangered animals, including the elusive snow leopard. In doing so, they restored a part of Afghan identity that is ineffably tied to the land itself. For a people who had spent decades as refugees or subject to the horrors and desolation of war, the quest to restore Afghanistan's wildlife became the restoration of Afghanistan's very culture and deep history.

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Book SynopsisGavin Maxwell was a romantic, self-destructive adventurer, brave and handsome, with a deep sympathy for the underdog, a wonderfully curious mind and a dogged commitment to discovering the truth. It was said of him that he was loved by women, had sex with men but his emotional life was ruled by animals. His father died in the trenches in the year of his birth, so he and his brothers enjoyed a wonderfully carefree childhood, living in passionate proximity to their mother, the widowed daughter of the Duke of Northumberland, in an isolated house on the south-west coast of Scotland. He became one of the most brilliant and quixotic of British travel-writers, who wrote about Iraq (where he travelled with Wilfrid Thesiger in 1956 and acquired his first otter), Sicily (where he befriended both Communist peasants and Mafia hitmen) and Morocco (where he spent six years chronicling the rise and fall of a Berber dynasty). But he would become even more famous for his trilogy of books set in the north-west coast of Scotland, which was a true fulfilment of his affinity with nature and a love of wild things, most especially otters. Despite the success of Ring of Bright Water, The Rocks Remain and Raven Seek thy Brother, the vast bulk of his life remained a closely guarded secret. He was by turns a shark-hunter, a wartime secret agent, portrait-painter, racing car-driver, naturalist, poet and a social renegade. Often poised on the edge of bankruptcy he could also be insanely profligate and generous.Trade Review'Totally absorbing, wonderfully written. David Attenborough; 'Here is a life woven from the stuff of high romance, a tragic and fascinating quest. Elspeth Barker, Independent; 'Could hardly be bettered Botting s great achievement is to have looked his friend square in the face, portraying his frailties while remaining loyal to his gifts. Fraser Harrison, New Statesman

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Book SynopsisThe Great Spotted Woodpecker first bred in Ireland in 2009. Since then the author has followed the daily lives of this species, a family of whom had taken up residence in a windtorn Spanish chestnut tree near his home in the depths of County Wicklow. This unique and personal account of a family of woodpeckers raising their young brings the reader deep into the world of this fascinating species: a world of hope, love, death, new life and ultimately success. It explores the richness and diversity of the natural wonders found in County Wicklow against a backdrop of a more general overview of the species in Ireland. It includes a foreword by filmmaker John Boorman, and features illustrations by Killian Mullarney and Flemming Christoffersen with stunning colour photographs by Dick Coombes. This book is to be treasured by everyone – not just ornithologists, but those with an interest in the natural world around them.Trade Review‘As engaging an expression of a true naturalist’s passion as Ireland has produced ... So immediate and concerned is [the author’s] account that one comes to live it with him, if spared the scourge of midges that penetrate his dark and humid hide.’ —THE IRISH TIMES ‘We are visited by hope, joy, pathos, tragedy, suAs engaging an expression of a true naturalist’s passion as Ireland has produced … So immediate and concerned is [the author’s] account that one comes to live it with him, if spared the scourge of midges that penetrate his dark and humid hide. -- Michael Viney * Irish Times *One man’s passion brings to life the story of this once-extinct bird’s return to the Republic. -- John Quinn * The Sunday Times *This book, charting these new arrivals to our shore, captures the honesty and harshness of the life-cycle so well. If anything, it shows how even in the most arduous of environments, immense beauty is to be found. -- Daniel Seery * Dublin Inquirer *

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Book SynopsisAfter decades of operating off-the-backfoot and protecting and conserving nature perceived as under threat, conservationists are becoming proactive and creative in the face of habitat loss, agricultural intensification and climate change. Beyond Conservation offers a revolutionary agenda for both managing existing wildlands in Britain and for expanding and connecting such lands. Central to this strategy is the imperative to 'rewild' or restore and repair damaged habitat and ecosystems, promote existing biodiversity and reintroduce vanished plant and animal species, while working to reconcile human needs and livelihoods and the needs of nature.Trade Review'Peter Taylor builds bridges between ecology, countryside policy and spirituality .... This book is novel in its breadth, and offers a sharp challenge to conventional thinking in conservation.' Bill Adams, University of Cambridge 'There is a new determination to be more pro-active, more creative and much bolder, and Peter Taylor's important book captures that mood brilliantly.' Chris Baines, Resurgence 'This is a vitally important and much needed book, which shows the way forward for a renewed and positive relationship between people and wild Nature in Britain. Lucidly and authoritatively covering topics ranging from the ecological role of our country's missing mammals to the healing power of natural forests, and drawing upon the work of practical projects already underway, Peter Taylor articulates an inspiring vision of a possible future Britain, replete with large core areas of wild, natural ecosystems. The book offers a beacon of hope to all those who draw spiritual sustenance from wild Nature, and is essential reading for anyone seeking a positive alternative to the ongoing biological depletion of our country' Alan Featherstone, Trees for Life 'Peter is an informed, passionate and compassionate guide. [This book] deserves to succeed firstly in provoking a necessary debate about the future for nature management on the basis of some perceptive ideas and a clear vision; secondly in challenging us all to see working with nature as an essentially soul-full process and thirdly in strengthening the steadily growing acceptance that allowing more space for wild nature, being less prescriptive, can happen anywhere we choose to let it. It will be read and enjoyed by enthusiasts for the wild [and] will also provide an excellent introduction to wild-land themes for students.' ECOS 26 (2), David Russell, former Head of Forestry at the National TrustTable of ContentsIntroduction * The wild side of natural * Coed Eryri * Caledon * Dartmoor * The potential for networks and corridors * Restoring ecological processes: regeneration of the core vegetation * Restoring ecological processes: the herbivore guild * Restoring ecological processes: bringing back the carnivores * The healing forest * The land in-between: wilding agriculture * Targeted habitat creation * Stepping stones to a wilder policy * Straight to the heart: a wildland strategy *

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Book SynopsisDespite the 1989 global ivory trade ban, poaching and ivory smuggling have not abated. More than half of Tanzania's elephants have been killed for their ivory since 2007. A similarly alarming story can be told of the herds in northern Mozambique and across swathes of central Africa. But why the new upsurge? The popular narrative blames a meeting of two evils - criminal poaching and terrorism. But the answer is not that simple.Since ancient times, large-scale killing of elephants for their tusks has been driven by demand beyond Africa's range states from the Egyptian pharaohs through the industrialising West to the new wealthy business class of China. Elephant hunting in Africa is also governed by human-elephant conflict, traditional hunting practices and the impact of colonial exploitation and criminalisation.Ivory follows this complex history of the tusk trade in Africa, and explains why it is corruption, crime and politics, rather than insurgency, that we should worry about. In this ground-breaking work, Somerville argues that regulation - not prohibition - of the ivory trade is the best way to stop uncontrolled poaching.Trade Review'Part historical overview, part polemic and call for policy change, [Keith's] book is dedicated not only to those who gave or risk their lives to conserve elephants but also to "those who have the courage to question the ruling orthodoxy" that burnings and bans save elephants. The author's own appetite for questioning - from the "flexible meanings" of the word "poaching" to the high ideals and more nuanced realities of NGOs' work - makes for informative reading.' * Times Higher Education *'[A] meticulously documented record of an economic activity that has spanned millennia . . . Somerville has made a valuable contribution towards documenting the history of the ivory trade.' -- The Times Literary Supplement'Combating elephant poaching in Africa has become an international priority, attracting Hilary Clinton, Jackie Chan and Prince Harry to its cause. Drawing on decades of experience as a seasoned journalist, Keith Somerville eloquently writes about the politics of ivory poaching in Africa and shows why we should care.' * Dr Alex Vines OBE, Head of the Africa Programme at Chatham House and Senior Lecturer at Coventry University *'Keith Somerville has written a pioneering study in the field of wildlife conservation. Based on a formidable list of sources, the argument is well constructed and superbly expressed. The text will prove an invaluable guide to both scholars and those engaged in the struggle to preserve an asset of incomparable value.' * Professor Jack Spence OBE, Kings College London *'This is an urgently-needed book that strips away the myths around the fast-changing scene of ivory poaching. For this task there is nobody better than Keith Somerville, who has kept a beady eye on Africa for many years.' * Jasper Humphreys, Director of External Relations, The Marjan Centre for the Study of Conflict and the Non Human Sphere, Department of War Studies, King's College, London *'Somerville's analysis of the booming ivory trade under colonial rule is masterly: more firearms, more organized trading, and greater demand for ivory in the West meant escalated killing. He shows the more pernicious, lasting effect to be the alienation of indigenous people from control over wildlife, which happened when British game officials banned Africans from hunting while encouraging white trophy pursuers.' * Robert Eagan, Library Journal *'[A] devastating and majestic history of the supply chain from Africa. […] Somerville has produced the best academic account to date of the history of the supply side of this catastrophic trade.' * Joanna Lewis, Africa at LSE blog *'This excellent book clearly captures the reasons for killing elephants in Africa, and the perils we face in trying to save them. The historical and political dimensions of the phenomenon are often under-stated, but here corruption is shown to be at the heart of the ivory trade, and human conflicts have provided the arena in which large-scale corruption takes place.' * Lucy Vigne, ivory and rhino horn researcher *'This thoroughly researched volume delves into intricate detail regarding the historical and current status of elephants and ivory trading. An excellent addition to an advanced course or seminar on conservation biology, sustainable use, or wildlife policy.' -- CHOICE

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Book SynopsisAn appealing book that rightfully raises the profile of the kestrel. It provides an extensive picture of this delightful falcon, including its lifestyle and the factors that affect its breeding success and survival. This is based upon almost 40 years' monitoring of the kestrel in south-west Scotland and further afield by the author and colleagues, giving a flavour of the integrated approach to monitoring and conservation. As well as the wealth of factual data, there are entertaining anecdotes and stories both from the author's experiences and from the wider media coverage of this raptor over the years. The reader is taken to exotic locations such as the Seychelles, Mauritius and the Cape Verde Islands to see the endemic island kestrels which have always held a great fascination for the author. Latest figures show an alarming decline of 36% in the kestrel population in the UK, with even more dramatic falls such as 64% in Scotland. The fieldwork techniques which play such an important role are detailed in a composite breeding season. The kestrel is not portrayed in isolation and the bird's current circumstance is tied into the bigger picture of raptor conservation and the struggle against sustained persecution. The author reflects upon the political, economic and conservation issues that have dominated this field in the past few decades and through this personal and well-informed account the reader gains access to the world of the kestrel.Trade Review'Profusely illustrated, the book shows kestrels hatching and in natural habitats across the globe, from Scotland to the Seychelles. His collection of enthusiasts' notes finds kestrels everywhere - even Downing Street'. The Critics '...this fascinating and absorbing book written by a dedicated expert. Over 40 years the author has assembled a wealth of information... ...is easily read and contains large numbers of excellent photographs...' Scottish Birds '...has some fascinating stories... ...Riddle gives a vivid account of clashes between kestrels and such powerful raptors as peregrine falcons and goshawks'. Feather Report, The Times '...If you want to know about kestrels then this is the book for you... ...a well-documented history of the many species ... is one of the best accounts on the subject I have read'. Highland News, The Star and Lochaber News 'An appealing book that rightfully raises the profile of the kestrel. It provides an extensive picture of this delightful falcon. ...through this personal and well-informed account the reader gains access to the world of the kestrel'. NHBS '...an appealing portrait of this beautiful bird and explores the problems it faces...' Daily Mail '...personal and well-informed account gives valuable insight s into the private life of this delightful falcon. ...he combines a wealth of facts with entertaining anecdotes and experiences'. Ayrshire Post '...celebrates this species of falcon. Profusely illustrated, the book shows kestrels hatching and in natural habitats across the glove, from Scotland to the Seychelles'. The Critics '...the long- awaited sequel to Seasons with a Kestrel. ...a fascinating account of the author's journey to see the endemic island Kestrels and meet the people directly involved in their conservation. ... Exciting and intriguing anecdotes ... captivate the reader and provide an informative and colourful overview ... of these magnificent Kestrels. ... Gordon Riddle's passion for Kestrels is apparent throughout this well-balanced, richly illustrated and readable book, which also shows what it takes to be a truly excellent fieldworker. I recommend it wholeheartedly'. IBIS

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Book SynopsisA completely new look at plants - not only in food, drink and commerce, and how they have created civilisation, trade and empires, but also in love, in war, in crime, in horror and delight, in music, poetry and prose, and on the screen. Not just another gardening or plant book, this is a complete picture of how plants affect people, for better or worse, now, in the past and in the future with illuminating and startling facts about their ubiquitous presence in human affairs - through life, death, illness, happiness, murder, despair, desperation, love, hate, loss, and far more. From Presidents to pop stars, from scientists to slavers, royals to religious leaders, chefs to charlatans, pioneers to politicians, artists to actors, Plants & Us is a unique overview of plants, wild and cultivated, their vital importance and the threats they face. Above all, how they affect all our lives in stories that will often surprise the reader.Trade ReviewThe Telegraph: "The amazing secrets of everyday plants and how they rule our lives. A fascinating new book sheds light on how plants have been so pivotal through the centuries"; Botany One: "It is a most impressive achievement with numerous items of plant 'trivia' on every page. Except that none of these plant facts are trivial" "It should be essential reading for everybody - not just those who create plant-themed quizzes - whose appreciation of plants can only be improved as a result"; Gardens Illustrated "Best 10 gardening books for 2022"; WI Life "10 Best books for Christmas 2021"; The American (3-page review); Also Local Gardener (3-page review), Horticulture Week, The Field, Garden News, The Tablet, Fine Food Digest; Author interviews: BBC, Talk Radio Europe, Brooklands Radio.

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a comprehensive review of current systems for fish protection and downstream migration. It offers the first systematic description of the currently available technologies for fish protection at hydropower intakes, including accurate and timely data collected by the authors and other researchers. It describes how to design and test them in agreement with the guidelines established from the EU Water Framework Directive. The book includes important information about fish biology, with a special focus on swimming and migration mechanisms. It offers a robust bridge between concepts in applied ecology and civil hydraulic engineering, thus providing biologists and hydraulic engineers with an authoritative reference guide to both the theory and practice of fish protection. It is also of interest for planners, public authorities as well as environmental consultants Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Basic reqirements of fish protection and downstream passage.- Impact of Downstream passability.- Fish protection facilities.- Fishways for downstream migration.- Fish-friendly turbines.- Fish-friendly operational management.- Species-specific requirements.- Habitat measures.- Open questions and knowledge deficits.

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Book SynopsisOther countries - from Yellowstone to serengeti - had long since had their large national parks when Germany's first national park was founded in 1970 in the Bavarian Forest. How did it come about? Why did the local "Waidlers" fight against the national park? How has the park's management dealt with conflicts over bark beetles, red deer and lynx? Does the national park region benefit from tourism? These and other critical questions are answered in this volume on the Bavarian Forest by experts from different disciplines. Prominent contemporary witnesses from the national park and its planning also have their say.

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Book SynopsisWas ist gesellschaftlicher Fortschritt? Wie hat er uns verändert? Wohin führt er uns? Hat er ein Ziel, und was erwarten wir von ihm? In diesem Buch werden die Triebkräfte des dominierenden Fortschrittsmusters im Kontext lokaler und globaler Entwicklungstrends beschrieben, analysiert und kritisch kommentiert. Behandelt werden u.a. Themen wie Neoliberalismus, Massenmedien, veränderte Sicherheitsbedürfnisse und die Zerstörung der Biosphäre durch den Menschen. Ferner widmet es sich der Notwendigkeit eines neuen, nachhaltigen Fortschrittsmusters: Eine zeitgemäße Wahrnehmung globaler Probleme, ein erweiterter Verantwortungsbegriff und eine stärkere Hinwendung zum Humanismus bilden dafür die Grundvoraussetzungen. Die Forderung nach einer zweiten Aufklärung ergibt sich folgerichtig als zentrale These des Buches. In gut lesbarer Sprache wirbt der Autor eindringlich für ein neues Verständnis der gegenwärtigen Herausforderungen und liefert den Leserinnen und Lesern zahlreiche Orientierungshilfen und Handlungsempfehlungen. Wer nach diesem neuen Prinzip Fortschritt (be)wertet und handelt, kann sein Leben mit Sinn bereichern, denn er stellt es in einen größeren Zusammenhang.

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Book SynopsisBringing together leaders in the fields of climate change ecology, wildlife population dynamics, and environmental policy, this title examines the impacts of climate change on populations of terrestrial vertebrates. It also includes chapters that assess the details of climate change ecology.Trade Review"Wildlife Conservation in a Changing Climate provides an important, cutting-edge, and forward-looking contribution toward our understanding of climate effects on wildlife species. The strength of the book is that it is a compendium of work by both academic scientists and front-line conservation practitioners who are wrestling with ideas and practical ways to conserve wildlife in the face of changing climate. These essays set the standard for providing scientific insights for the practice of wildlife conservation in an era of changing climate." (Oswald Schmitz, Yale University)"

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Book SynopsisPummeled by a century of drought, depopulation, and soil erosion, America's Great Plains are in dire straits. Frank and Deborah Popper have a solution: create a Buffalo common by returning 139,000 acres in ten states to prairie and reintroducing the buffalo that once roamed there.Trade Review"An admirably crafted book, as poignant and entertaining as it is informative." - Seattle Times "Where the Buffalo Roam is very bright, active, effective journalism....An extremely savvy overlook of the dilemmas of the Great Plains." - Wallace Stegner

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Book Synopsis"Tiger Moon" is the powerful, poetic story of the Sunquists' two years studying tigers in Nepal. A new afterword tells the story of promising efforts to reconnect fractured Nepalese tiger habitats.Trade Review"[F]ull of unusual anecdotes... sloth bears shuffle by, leopards prowl the campsite's perimeter, scores of brilliant birds flit overhead, and camp elephants reveal their personalities.... [T]he tiger and the environment it occupies have become... a symbol of what is at stake. Tiger Moon is a chronicle of this symbolism, told passionately and accurately." - Ronald L. Tilson, Natural History

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Book SynopsisA whirlwind journey through fungus frontiers that underscores how appreciating fungi is key to understanding our planet's power and fragility. What can we learn from the lives of fungi? Splitting time between the northern and southern hemispheres, ecologist Alison Pouliot ensures that she experiences two autumns per year in the pursuit of fungifrom Australia's deserts to Iceland's glaciers to America's Cascade Mountains. In Meetings with Remarkable Mushrooms, we journey alongside Pouliot, magnifiers in hand, as she travels the world. With Pouliot as our guide, we smell fire-loving truffles that transform their scent after burning to lure mammals who eat them and, ultimately, spread their spores. We spot the eerie glow of the ghost fungus, a deceptive entity that looks like an edible oyster mushroom but will soon heave back outalong with everything else in your stomachif you take a bite. And we crawl alongside vegetable caterpillars, which are neither vegetable nor caterpillar but a fungus that devours insects from the inside out. Featuring stunning color photographs of these mycological miracles, Meetings with Remarkable Mushrooms shows that understanding fungi is fundamental for harmonizing with the natural world.Trade Review"In this captivating study, ecologist Pouliot expounds on mushrooms she’s encountered during her fieldwork....The result is an enjoyable tour of the fungal kingdom." * Publisher's Weekly *"As Pouliot wryly describes her companions and their forays into forests, the fungi that inhabit them emerge as her protagonists….Attending also to the prominent women (including Beatrix Potter) who helped found mycology as a science and fungi’s place in habitat conservation, Pouliot delivers a charming, informative presentation of a world beneath our feet." * Booklist *"[Pouliot makes a] convincing case . . . Fungi are essential to the world as we know it." * New York Review of Books *"In this book, [Pouliot] takes us with her all over the world as she brings fungi to life with lush descriptions, infectious enthusiasm, and gorgeous pictures. But she also shows the reader just how important fungi are to the natural world, as well as what they do for humans." * Book Riot *"Meetings with Remarkable Mushrooms is an information-packed, entertaining read that also has gorgeous color photos of fungi. Pouliot takes the reader on an adventure in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres...learning about these mysterious mycological wonders and the roles they play in our ecological systems." -- Jaime Herndon * American Scientist *"Conveying an impassioned message for conservation and awareness, Meetings with Remarkable Mushrooms is a compelling, enlightening look at lowly but remarkable fungi that are often hidden in the shadows." * Foreword Reviews *"So—do we really need another book about mushrooms? The answer is yes, but only if it’s this one. Alison Pouliot has written a lovely book that digs deep but wears its learning lightly, and manages to cover—in a series of relatively short, readable, enjoyable and accurate chapters—most of the important issues in popular mycology." * Fungi *“Pouliot is a mycologist whose knowledge of fungi is extraordinarily vast and intricate.” * The Saturday Paper *“I was entertained and enthralled reading this book and I promise I have never read a book from cover to cover on fungi before. I didn't think it was my jam, but [it turns out] it should be everyone's jam. Fungi is literally the glue that keeps us together.” * Readings *“Pouliot conveys the otherworldly charisma of mushrooms with love and skill.” * The Sydney Morning Herald * “Powerful stuff, which should be read by all those who continue to support the insane logging of our native forests.” -- Jonathan Watts, author and environmental activist"This subterranean journey introduces the quirks of behavior that allow fungi to spread through soils, support living plants, and recycle the debris of nature. Alison is an accomplished storyteller." -- Nicholas P. Money | Miami University"[Meetings with Remarkable Mushrooms] is a joy to read." -- Sophie Cunningham | author of "City of Trees""Sensual and scientific. Dazzling and boundary breaking. [Meetings with Remarkable Mushrooms] will make you see the world anew." -- Long Litt Woon | author of "The Way Through the Woods""The world of fungi is our world even if we don’t know it and can’t see most of it—strange, dazzling, spooky, unpredictable, friendly, deadly, sly. And Alison is the perfect guide. She surprises and informs, delights and warns; makes you wish you could walk with her and her passionate companions. That’s OK. In this book you do." -- Paul Kelly | songwriter"An evocative, accessible and important book about one of the most vital, yet hugely ignored, kingdoms on our planet—fungi. After reading this you cannot help but see the world in a different light—and should approach mushrooms and truffles with new relish." -- Charles Massy | author of "Call of the Reed Warbler""Anyone who has joined Alison in a forest, anywhere in the world, will know her incredible ability to magnify those microscopic organisms that hold our natural world together, to connect every element of human life—physical, emotional or social—to the function of our natural landscapes. [Meetings with Remarkable Mushrooms] is like a walk in the forest, pungent and complex, filled with curiosity and wonder, and leaving you with a sense that there is so much more to uncover." -- Millie Ross | ABCTV "Gardening Australia""The underground teaches us a different language—and Alison Pouliot is the perfect translator." -- Toby Kiers | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam"[Meetings with Remarkable Mushrooms] takes storytelling about fungi to a captivating new level. A well-researched page turner." -- Anders Dahlberg | Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesTable of ContentsA Note on Fungal Terminology 1 Stirrings in the Subterrain 2 Life in the Mycosphere 3 Into the Australian Bush 4 No Such Thing as a Bad Fungus 5 Fungi, Fire, and Ice 6 Fungal Renegades 7 The Mycophagists 8 Conserving the Bizarre and the Beautiful 9 Women as Keepers of Fungal Lore 10 Restoring Fungi Epilogue Acknowledgments Images Species Register Glossary Selected Sources Index

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