Monday, September 19, 2022

Book Review - The World Atlas of Trees and Forests - Princeton University Press


 

     This is a mammoth tome, ambitious in scope and wonderfully informative in all that it delivers. A case could be made that there is no more critical time in the history of humans on Earth to ponder the importance of trees and their effect on climate, species diversity and extinction, and the very continuance of life as we have come to know it.
     The book is beautifully illustrated on every page and one appreciates the impact of digital photography in enhancing a text of this nature.


     We are marched through the various forest types found on earth - boreal, tropical rain forests, mangroves, temperate forests, savannahs and dry forests - and so on, with keys to the similarities and differences of each type as they exist in various parts of the world. A constant thread is that they have been modified, degraded, impaired, reduced in area or eliminated to serve short term human interest without due regard for their role in regulating weather patterns and régimes of hydrology. 
     As the impact of climate change becomes more apparent every day, and images of devastating wildfires and catastrophic floods of magnitudes never before experienced are increasingly commonplace, there is a general recognition that something needs to be done - and soon!


     Scientists have ever more sophisticated tools at their disposal and computer modeling is able to predict the outcomes of different strategies with increasing accuracy. Examining the results and initiating an appropriate response, however, often seem poles apart.
     In survey after survey taken before national elections, the environment ranks low on the issues motivating voters, and world 'leaders' seem equally unwilling to tackle the issue seriously. To quote directly from page 341 in the book, ".....we cannot walk away from trying to improve our understanding of forests as an earth system." Yet even today, in the face of massive evidence of the vital role of forests in maintaining climate equilibrium, when a man meets a tree it generally does not end well for the tree. 
     The wanton, willful and premeditated destruction of the Amazon rain forest continues, and vast swathes of rain forest in Malaysia continue to be converted to palm oil plantations, stripped of all diversity and effectively becoming green deserts.
    I urge everyone to use this book to learn what a tree is, how it functions, what its relationship with other organisms is - mycorrhizal fungi, for example, and even the complex synergy between different tree species. The canopy layer in a tropical rainforest is rich in species diversity, providing habitat for a myriad range of creatures, all of which are lost in a clearcut.
     Centuries ago, wise men were already sounding the alarm about the absolute destruction of forests. Despite increased awareness we still have not responded to the challenge in any significant way.


     In reading a book of this nature my respect and admiration for scientists is magnified a hundred fold, and despite the assertion by a former prominent politician that "scientists don't know what they are talking about", the sooner we start listening to scientists the better.
     I noticed a couple of grammatical errors that I will not dwell on, but I would be remiss not to point out an egregious blunder on page 101 where the text refers to Blue-winged Warblers but the accompanying photograph is of a Black-throated Blue Warbler. As a dedicated bibliophile it dismays me somewhat that these kinds of screwups seem to happen far too often. There may be processes that I don't understand, but I would have thought that the editorial review for as distinguished a publisher as Princeton University Press would ensure that such misplaced images are removed and corrected.


     I am left with the sense of having been privileged to read this text (I am already referring to it again and again) and it should be in every library everywhere, from hamlet to metropolis, to educate and inform an often indifferent population.

The World Atlas of Trees and Forests: Exploring Earth's Forest Ecosystems - Princeton University Press
Herman Shugart, Peter White, Sassan Saatchi, and Jérôme Chave.
Hardcover - US$55.00 - ISBN 9780691226743
400 pages - 9 x 12 inches (22.5 x 30 cm), 250+ colour illustrations
Publication: 20 September, 2022

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

48 comments:

  1. I'm sure it's a very beautiful and interesting book, David. I fully agree with you about science. If we had spent more money on science instead of weapons we could change the world very much. It is absolutely unbelievable that so little money is allocated. Research and science make the world move forward.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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    1. I am quite sure we would have the funds to alleviate world poverty, hunger and to make sure that everyone had access to good medical care.

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  2. ...there are so many different types of forests. I have had the opportunity to see several.

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    1. I have seen most of the world's forest types, but if I had to pick a favourite it would be our own Eastern Deciduous Woodland, a marvel if ever I experienced one.

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  3. Thanks for your insight into this book David. Sounds like a must read.

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    1. It's a wonderful book, Carol. I can't imagine that anyone reading it wouldn't benefit.

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  4. Increasingly I wonder/fear that we are realising the importance of the natural world too late. I am a confirmed 'tree hugger' and mourn the losses I see.

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    1. I am a one hundred percent confirmed, dedicated tree hugger and proud of it, Sue. So is Miriam.

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  5. Querido amigo adoro los árboles y me apena ver tanta desgana por dar soluciones al enorme problema que tenemos. Es muy triste. El libro sin duda parece muy interesante y si tu lo recomiendas no tengo duda de que merece la pena comprarlo. Muchas gracias y un fuerte abrazo para ti y para Míriam.

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  6. Parece ser un libro digno de leer, me gustan mucho los árboles y los bosques, y la ecología de ellos. Gracias por dar a conocerlo . Saludos

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  7. Princeton University Press always delivers winners. This sounds like another one.

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  8. How interesting is that book, fascinated by trees.

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  9. Yo amo toda la naturaleza y contemplar los árboles me encanta, por aquí tenemos el bosque mediterráneo, con preciosos árboles. Me encantaría tener ese libro. Un abrazo.

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  10. C'est un livre qui me plairait beaucoup, peut-être qu'il sera traduit en français.
    Je suis les publications sur les forêts d'ici, et on voit bien que cela change niveau quantité mais aussi sur les espèces qui poussent. Bonne journée

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  11. Hi David - this sounds a brilliant book. A geologist here, more scientist, but a great presenter, Professor Iain Stewart ... he's going to various areas of South America and I'm afraid to say I'd never come across the Guiana Shield before ... he was in Columbia, on the edge of Venezuela, through the Guyanas and into Brazil ... re the Shield ... he explained how precious the biodivesity is there ... especially the forest ... oh so much to learn, to protect and to appreciate ... thanks for this - I'd love to see it - cheers Hilary

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  12. This sounds like a good and informative book, thanks for sharing. What will we do when there are no trees left? It's a terrible threat to the world. Hugs, Valerie

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  13. Looks like a great book ! I have some books about trees, garden etc...Love to see documentary in television about trees, threats and the future that climate changes will bring to us...
    Have a nice day and thanks for sharing your "treasures" ;)
    Anna

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  14. Another great review and book! Take care, enjoy your new week!

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  15. Buenos días, apreciado amigo, maravilloso libro, nos presentas hoy. Cuanta falta de buena lectura y de interesarse algo más la humanidad por los árboles y de todo cuanto nos rodea de naturaleza. Si los gobiernos destinaran algo de inversión en proteger y crear nuevos bosques desaparecidos hoy día, otro gallo cantaría a la humanidad en diversos puntos de la geografía, pero al parecer nada más tienen dinero para rearmarse y así crear destrucción que es lo único que sabemos hacer. Si no se toma conciencia en un plazo corto de tiempo, es muy probable que todos lo paguemos y muy caro.
    Un gran abrazo admirado profesor de tu siempre alumno Juan.

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    1. Yes, a small fraction of what the world spends on armaments would make such a difference to the fabric of society and amelioration of the environment, but it simply will not happen. Neve has. Never will. Un fuerte abrazo amigo Juan.

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  16. This sounds like a good and informative book.
    I love the woods, I always go there on vacation.
    Greetings Irma

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  17. The atlas has very nice illustrations.

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  18. Sounds like a marvelous read David, I remember reading about healthy trees nourishing a sick tree and being amazed. Ireland - my country of birth - destroyed many forests but revitalization began a few years ago. https://www.dw.com/en/irelands-forests-watching-a-vanished-world-return/a-44848417#:~:text=The%20destruction%20of%20Irish%20forests,shelter%20all%20played%20a%20part.
    I remember the forests of my childhood, the smell of the trees and the soft vegetation beneath my feet and the hush broken by the odd bird song. Magical places.
    XO
    WWW

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    1. Thanks for the link, and thanks for this lovely comment.

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  19. Debe ser fascinante el libro, sobretodo por sus buenas ilustraciones.
    Besos.

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  20. It sounds a wonderful book.
    Many thanks for your review.

    All the best Jan

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  21. Wow! This is a book I would love to have. Thanks for the review. Have a great evening.

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  22. Trees were made to be hugged and loved. I wish people would stop chopping them down when there is no necessity for it.

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  23. When my inner city neighborhood of small cottages and mature shade trees got gentrified you could hear those chainsaws almost every day cutting down 50 and 60 year old trees to build ugly lot line, I hesitate to call them houses, two stories above a garage with postage stamp of yard or patio in the back, no room for trees or any landscaping really, no place for children to play. One of the main reasons we bought this house we're in now is because the half acre lot was filled with over 30 trees. Not only are trees necessary for our survival, they are sentient beings and should be treated as such.

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  24. David!
    There are always very interesting books on your blog.
    I love the forest, but I can't walk on them because ticks love me.
    Greetings.

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  25. Me encantan estos libros David. Nos enseñan mucho de los árboles y como cuidarlos. Me gusta tocarlos y abrazarlos, creo que ellos lo sienten. Este año de tanto calor se nos ha secado un ciruelo que teníamos en el huerto, nos ha dado pena.
    Que paséis buena noche.
    Un abrazo.

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  26. This sounds like a fascinating book. It is interesting how so few people understand and know much about a forest. And I am guessing a book like this can teach even a seasoned forester a few things too. Thanks for sharing. (And by the way, the other day you mentioned Costco bagels in your comment on my post. Yes, agreed- there are definitely much better bagels in the world than from Costco, but when you are in a city you don't know, and you're trying to stock up on some food supplies for a week and half before heading out into a few isolated places, Costco bagels do the trick. But your point is well taken.And I agree.) Happy end of the week. Hugs-Erika

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  27. Respectfully, and as a forester myself, I don't agree with the pessimistic vision of Princeton Press. However, I have to admit that they produce nice books with lovely pictures....Abrazotes, Marcela

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    1. I don't think it's a "pessimistic" view and Princeton University Press is publishing the conclusions of four distinguished scientists involved in the field. As we type these words the destruction of the world's major forests continues apace. If you would publish the reasons for your conclusions on your blog I would be very interested in reading them.

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  28. You have again a beautiful book. I like books too. Thank you for your hug. Hug Caroline

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  29. It sounds like an important book. It would be nice if they would come out with a children’s version. Children love forests and have not formed a desire for greed.

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  30. I don't know how the importance of trees can be so ignored. It is a very sad state of humanity that we obnoxious amounts of money to spend on weapons but do not give it to science. It seems we're really only interested in destroying ourselves and our beautiful planet. I recently joined a webinar with Douglas Tallamy who I am sure you are familiar with. He talked about that we as individuals cannot bring change ona big scale, but we can start in our own backyard - for example by planting (native) trees. This is definitely much better than despairing. As a tree-hugger I have planted trees in my garden. I don't feel quite as helpless as if I wouldn't do anything and just mourn about the stupidity of humankind. - I feel I digress here, but I think you get my point. Thank you for this excellent review; I looked "inside" the book on Amazon, such amazing photography! This book will eventually make its way to my home.

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    1. Douglas Tallamy should be declared a National Treasure, Carola.

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  31. If a book is beautifully illustrated, then half the work is done to communicate with the reader.

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  32. Thanks for sharing. It's unfortunate that the people who need to read this book likely won't be. About ten years ago, my husband and I led a neighborhood protest to save the woods behind us from a developer. The town council agreed with us but the developer sued and the judge ruled in his favor. Now five houses are on that land. I still mourn the loss of those woods.

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    1. Kudos to you for trying, Amy. I can imagine how you must feel the loss.

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  33. A very interesting book. Excellent review.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  34. I can't watch this too many times: I love the idea that I am a Pickeral, and we both are of trees. https://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episodes/what-trees-talk-about

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