As we extinguish a large portion of the planet's biological diversity, we will lose also a large portion of our world's beauty, complexity, intellectual interest, spiritual depth, and ecological health.
David Quammen
I do not need here to link you to the numerous studies conducted in recent years highlighting the integral role of top predators in a healthy ecosystem. There have been many, some have even been followed by action, and all have validated the fact that eliminating top predators radically alters ecosystems. And not for the better. The reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park stands as a shining example of ecosystem renewal, yet even that bright star in a murky sky is attacked by its detractors.
This book makes a great contribution to casting light on the essential function of predation, and the critical importance of biodiversity, and tackles the issue in the water, on the land and in the air. Human prejudice and greed, combined with a disregard of science, have assured that top predators, especially large and fierce ones have been eliminated or their numbers seriously reduced in most ecosystems around the globe.
The text is peppered with terms such as critically endangered, population declining, critical habitat loss, persecution, poaching, pollution - and so on. It is a sad litany that is caused by the unchecked population growth of Homo sapiens and our voracious appetite for the Earth's resources. Studies have demonstrated that the carrying capacity of the Earth is around two billion humans - we are now at eight billion and growing.
Physically, we humans are not equipped to be the top predator on the planet, but technology has enabled us to become so. With our advanced weaponry and our ability to take over and totally modify ecosystems, no other species stands a chance when confronted with human aggression and disregard for the environment.
Sadly, we know what we must do to change this, but we continue to resist taking the actions that are necessary to prevent our own demise. Not the least of our inexplicable foolishness is that we continue to elect leaders who are dismissive of science and display no commitment at all to change course. One former president of the United States even declared that "scientists don't know what they are talking about."
As humankind steps ever farther into the Sixth Extinction the sad refrain of funeral dirges echoes through the hills and valleys, and the Requiem for the Oceans nears completion. Folly has been our hallmark since we transitioned from a hunter/gatherer society to organized permanent communities. We have abandoned any pretense of being part of nature and to this day strive to impose ourselves on it. But the remaining few proverbial chickens are hastening home to roost.
Soon the coop will be empty.
Tooth and Claw: Top Predators of the World - Princeton University Press
Robert M. Johnson III, Sharon L. Gilman, and Daniel C. Abel, illustrated by Elise Pullen
Hardcover - US$45.00 - ISBN: 9780691240282
353 pages - 7.5 x 9.5 inches (18.75 x 23.75 cm)
206 colour and black-and-white illustrations
Publication Date: 09 May, 2023
Hi David, interesting book. We have only the wolf. Have a nice sunday. Greetings Caroline
ReplyDeleteExcellent review of a book which I think I must read.
ReplyDeleteNice review, David. Everyone should be interested in reading this book.
ReplyDeleteSadly true. Dangerously true.
ReplyDeleteExcellent review David, always enjoy the books you choose. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a very intresting book, David. Great review. Hugs and kisses, Marit
ReplyDeleteSo very many humans.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good book.
A very good review, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I will probably not be buying this book, David, although it sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI am, however, grateful for your wise words on the threats to the future of this planet. Please keep spreading this message far and wide.
Best wishes - - - Richard
It is both staggering and daunting, Richard, to read of the catastrophic decline of one top predator after another - sharks, tigers, wolves, raptors.....on and on it goes. Not only are they in serious trouble, with some almost certainly facing extinction, the degree of human cruelty is staggering - in the collection of shark fins for example, and wolves hunted down from snowmobiles where they are run to exhaustion, incinerated in their dens.....there seems to be no limit to human indifference at best and downright barbarity at worst.
DeleteExcellent review, David.
ReplyDeleteOtro libro interesante amigo David. Un abrazo.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a very interesting book!........Abrazotes, Marcela
ReplyDeleteSeems an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteAn important book, but unfortunately I doubt that it's message will get through to those who most need to hear it. They're too busy counting their profits.
ReplyDeleteGreat review David! Take care, have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review, David. It reminds me of how the California Condor was on the brink of extinction, but with protection, it is now off the highly endangered list. We humans are the real predators. It's sad what we, the top of the food chain, technologically speaking, has done when "perceived" predators get in our way.
ReplyDeleteI am getting a "failed to publish," and can't seem to get this comment to you.
As in the case of the California Condor, it is dumbfounding how often we push a creature to the brink of extinction and then invest millions of dollars and years of effort to bring it back. And this only happens with poster-worthy subjects in rich nations. An insect in an impoverished country simply goes extinct.
DeleteTodos los animales, forman parte de la naturaleza y cada uno de ellos desempeña una importante función.
ReplyDeleteQue tengas una buena semana.
Sad but true, David! Here they have allowed wolves to come back, and their numbers are growing. The farmers are all protesting, but they are not allowed to kill them. And last week the big news was that a bear had been sighted, and people wrote letters of protest to the papers and wanted the bear shot....Sad, mad world! Hugs, Valerie xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteHello David,
ReplyDeleteDavid Quammen underlines the importance of predators in the ecosystem. Great book!
Quammen's book "The Song of the Dodo" is one of all time favourites. I have now read it four times and still learn from it and take pleasure in his fabulous command of language.
DeleteI agree with all said here and have my own theory that God designed the world and HUMANS to take care of itself, we need the predators to keep the population down in animals but not the humans who kill all for profit.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a very interesting book, David.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Irma
you said it all and I have nothing to add except for this. I believe humans will be the least successful forms of life this planet has produced in terms of how long we exist, intent as we are on destroying everything we need to survive.
ReplyDeleteHumans have so much to answer for, we live n a very sad world. My two favourite animals are Wild Dog and Leopard, I am grateful that I have managed to see both, The children of today are going to miss so much. Bisous Diane
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a sad, sad world..I often say (too often) that I am glad I am old..
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week..
I'm sure the book missed one top predator: Penelope. She was missed because the only one who would consider her a predator is Penelope herself.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Querido David una excelente reseña y seguro que el libro lo merece. La humanidad esta perdiendo todo capacidad de entendimiento y amor por la naturaleza y eso me causa un inmenso dolor. No entiendo porque este daño injustificado. Un enorme abrazo para ti y para Miriam.
ReplyDeleteSadly so many living things are in major trouble. Habitat loss and habitat isolation can't help either. It' s too bad for the future of our species and too bad for life on Earth too. Have a great start to the new week. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteA good review David, and something a little different. I have too many bird books, so this may be a good addition.
ReplyDeleteThis is a subject that interests me because there is so much talk about areas of Scotland in particular being re-inhabited with 'top predators' such as wolves. Fortunately, so far as I am aware, we haven't been talking about re-introducing bears yet.
ReplyDeleteThere is a book in the UK by Isabella Tree and her husband about the rewilding of their farm in the south of England, that you might find interesting. I have been unable to get it here, but it might even be available at your local library.
DeleteYou write the most informative book reviews, David. Even when it's something out of my wheelhouse, I always leave your reviews intrigued.
ReplyDeleteThank you for those kind words, Jeanie.
DeleteWell, that’s depressing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reviewing or book David. As the lead author for Tooth and Claw, my colleagues and I tried to disseminate some of the most interesting and notable facts about the the myriad of predators that inhabit(ed) this planet, not least of which, their conservation status. I think you summed up some of the real dangers we pose to the natural world, including ourselves. I hope your blog readers will enjoy the book and glean some interesting and useful information from it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for getting in touch. I too hope that people will read the book. It makes a significant contribution to the current and future status of biodiversity.
DeleteHi David - I really should come and spend a few weeks near you ... so I can read some of your books - this is another I'd love to ponder over. Also of course - spend time with you too! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete