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Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > Plant life: general
"A paradigm-smashing chronicle of joyous entanglement that will
make you acknowledge your own entanglement in the ancient and
ever-new web of being."--Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast
Are trees social beings? In this international bestseller, forester
and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes,
the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking
scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human
families: tree parents live together with their children,
communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients
with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of
impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and
forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and
regeneration he has observed in his woodland. After learning about
the complex life of trees, a walk in the woods will never be the
same again. Includes a Note From a Forest Scientist, by Dr.Suzanne
Simard
Plants and Habitats combines the species and habitat approaches to
plants and vegetation. Most of it is an identification guide to 700
plant species selected as those which are common, conspicuous or
useful ecological indicators; species which collectively make up
most of the vegetation in Britain and Ireland. There is also a
separate habitats section describing the flora, ecology and
management of habitats. With this combination of approaches Plants
and Habitats aims to help people understand our vegetation at all
scales, from individual plants to whole landscapes. The structure
and plain English writing style are designed to help with species
identification by non-specialists.Plants and Habitats is
illustrated throughout with colour photos and some line drawings.
For those working with habitat classifications, National Vegetation
Classification (NVC) codes are incorporated throughout and there
are summary tables cross-referencing various classifications. The
book is written for a wide readership including those working or
training in subjects connected with ecology, conservation, land
management, and other environmental matters.
Seasonality is an uplifting look at British wildlife through the
seasons of the year, but it is also about our relationship with
that wildlife. The author, a keen and passionate naturalist, takes
us on a journey through spring, summer, autumn and winter, and on
this journey we look at how our wildlife lives throughout the year,
how it adapts and changes as necessary. The author shares how
wildlife makes him feel, how he derives joy and a sense of
well-being from the wildlife he sees and describes. But he also
shares his frustration at how some of our actions and land
management impact on our increasingly pressurised wildlife. It
shares the delight of watching birds in the garden, fox cubs in the
countryside and peregrines in the city. It shares the sadness of
seeing stuffed examples of extinct birds, the anger at the
mismanagement of potentially wildlife-rich hedgerows, and the
confusion and contradiction of the management of our so-called
natural spaces. It is a book of delights and frustrations, but
above all hope and celebration. Whether it is the flash of bright
yellow butterfly wings signalling that spring has arrived, the
slicing of the air by sickle-shaped swifts telling us that summer
has come, the wonderful show of colour that the leaves of trees
display in the autumn, or the deep-throated chuckle of fieldfares
gleaning berries in the winter, the seasons are full of life and
this book describes them in vivid detail. The role of the seasons
in our own lives may have diminished, but for wildlife the seasons
are everything, they are the framework within which everything
happens. Seasonality is your guide, through a naturalist's eyes and
thoughts, to the incredible journey of the four seasons. The
seasons of the year roll on regardless, an endless cycle that
dictates the rhythm of life.
Used by humans since ancient times, evergreen oak forests still
cover extensive mountain areas of the Mediterranean Basin. These
broadleaved evergreen forests occupy a transitional zone between
the cool-temperate deciduous forest biome and the drier
Mediterranean pine forests and shrublands. Slow growing and casting
a deep shade, the sclerophyllous holm oak ("Quercus ilex")
absolutely dominates the closed canopy of many Mediterranean
evergreen oak forests. This is a synthesis of 20 years of research
on the structure, function, and dynamics of holm oak forests in two
intensively studied experimental areas in Spain. By combining
observational measurements at the leaf, tree, plot, and catchment
scales with field experiments and modelling, the authors explore
how these forests cope with strong water limitation and repeated
disturbances.
Learn to identify animals, plants, and fungi wherever you go with this
step-by-step guide for spotting and recording key traits and
characteristics.
If you've ever consulted a field guide to identify a new bird at your
feeder, you know the process isn't as easy as it sounds. In fact, it
seems like you have to know a lot about that mystery bird to even
figure out where to start.
The Everyday Naturalist fills in the gaps by explaining what traits to
pay attention to when encountering a new species; how and when to use
field guides, apps, and other resources; what to do if you get stuck;
and more. Rather than focusing on one region or continent, these skills
and tools are designed to help you classify nature anywhere you
are—whether on familiar territory, traveling, or in a new home.
In chapters about animals, plants, fungi, and organisms like lichens
and slime molds, naturalist and guide Rebecca Lexa goes into detail
about what sets each of these kingdoms apart from each other—from
color, shape, and texture to sexual characteristics, behavior, and
habitat—and includes more than forty full-color photos and drawings to
illustrate key points. She also provides detailed case studies to
demonstrate how to use all of these traits to identify specimens across
multiple kingdoms.
This easy-to-follow guide empowers you to learn more about the species
around you, then use what you know to preserve the world you love. And
at a time when biodiversity is imperiled worldwide, nature needs more
advocates than ever.
Our forests, with their billions of trees, are the backbone of
agriculture, the skeleton of lumbering, and the heart of industry.
Even now, in spite of their depletion, they are the cream of our
natural resources. They furnish wood for the nation, pasture for
thousands of cattle and sheep, and water supply for countless
cities and farms. They are the dominions of wild life. Millions of
birds, game animals, and fish live in the forests and the forest
streams. The time is coming when our forests will be the greatest
playgrounds of America. It is necessary that we preserve, protect,
and expand our timberlands. By so doing we shall provide for the
needs of future generations.
FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER,THE HIDDEN LIFE OF
TREES 'A simultaneously stimulating and soothing blend of nature
writing and science ... Strongly encourages tree hugging for our
own, human sake' Guardian Summer Reads 2021 A powerful return to
the forest, where trees have heartbeats and roots are like brains
that extend underground. Where the colour green calms us, and the
forest sharpens our senses. In The Heartbeat of Trees, renowned
forester Peter Wohlleben draws on new scientific discoveries to
show how humans are deeply connected to the natural world. In an
era of climate change, many of us fear we've lost our connection to
nature, but Wohlleben is convinced that age-old ties linking humans
to the forest remain alive and intact. We just have to know where
to look. Drawing on science and cutting-edge research, The
Heartbeat of Trees reveals the profound interactions humans can
have with nature, exploring: the language of the forest the
consciousness of plants and the eroding boundary between flora and
fauna A perfect book to take with you into the woods, The Heartbeat
of Trees shares how to see, feel, smell, hear, and even taste the
forest. Peter Wohlleben, renowned for his ability to write about
trees in an engaging and moving way, reveals a wondrous cosmos
where humans are a part of nature, and where conservation and
environmental activism is not just about saving trees, it's about
saving ourselves, too.
A 1000-PIECE JIGSAW FOR NATURE LOVERS - Piece together a living,
breathing world of trees and fill the gaps in your knowledge as you
go with a comprehensive poster guide BESTSELLING AUTHOR - Text by
tree expert Jonathan Drori CBE, the author of the bestselling book
Around the World in 80 Trees, and upcoming Around the World in 80
Plants HOURS OF COSY FUN - Learn about 50 trees from around the
world - all from the comfort of home! THE PERFECT GIFT -
Illustration-led, highly finished jigsaw and illustrated poster for
maximum gift appeal AMAZING ARTWORK - Lucille Clerc's intricately
drawn world is bursting with minute detail Finished puzzle measures
48.5 x 68 cm (19 x 27 in.) Discover the world in 50 trees! From the
beech forests of southern Sweden to the North African argan trees -
goats aloft in their branches - passing by India's sacred banyan,
the Hawaiian koa, and right down to Australia's jarrah.
The debt medicine owes to botany is not commonly appreciated. In
the past, medicine relied almost entirely on plants, and even
today, many western medicines are plant derived. Despite this,
historians have largely neglected the study of domestic medicine,
practised by the ordinary person and passed down through
generations, in favour of 'official medicine'. The History of
Domestic Plant Medicine brings together manuscripts, letters,
diaries, personal oral interviews and other primary evidence to
produce a detailed picture of the medicinal use of native plants in
Britain from 1700 to the present day. Recording for posterity this
neglected aspect of our heritage, it is a valuable contribution to
the study of the folklore of modern Britain and a fascinating piece
of social history.
"Cel grows her beautiful flowers with art and soul." -- Shane
Connolly, floral designer and author Prepare the ground, sow seed,
nurture, harvest and fill your home with beautiful flowers. Growing
flowers can bring colour and life to the garden, and also give you
an abundance of sustainable floral material to use at home. This
handbook shows you how to plan a cutting garden, grow the perfect
plants for the vase and nurture them so they thrive from season to
season. Whether you have a few pots or a dedicated patch, you can
grow beautiful blooms and learn how to cut, condition and arrange
them for garden-gathered floral designs all year round, all without
the carbon footprint of most shop-bought flowers! Cut Flowers
includes a directory of flowers, bulbs and foliage to grow, plus
pro advice on creating dreamy designs. This title is from the Bloom
Gardener's Guide series, complete and comprehensive gardening
handbooks. Bloom is an award-winning independent print magazine for
gardeners, plant admirers, nature lovers and outdoor adventurers,
and winner of the Garden Publication of the Year at the Garden
Media Awards 2021. Other titles in this series include Shade and
Pots.
This practical pocket guide includes 194 edible fruits, nuts and seeds,
flowers, greens and vegetables, herbs, roots, whole plants, fungi,
seaweeds and shellfish that you can forage in the UK and Europe.
Each species account includes accurate artworks and concise
descriptions outlining essential details to help you identify species
in the field, as well as information on where you can find species and
helpful tips on how to cook and bake with the food you forage.
The author's introduction offers practical advice on foraging safely
and legally and outlines how to prepare and preserve your foraged
foods, including making mead and jam, drying herbs, storing mushrooms
for later use and how to safely prepare foraged shellfish. The helpful
fold-out poster shows common edible species grouped by season and by
habitat.
There has never been a better time to plant a tree! From their
invaluable role in fighting climate change and cleaning the air of
our cities, to the huge mental health benefits being around their
leafy presence can bring, trees are at the very centre of both our
urban and rural ecosystems. Written by Ben Raskin, head of
horticulture at the Soil Association, and supported by Friends of
the Earth UK, this earthy call-to-action teaches the practical
how-tos alongside the most interesting insights to appreciate about
the significance of magnificent trees. As movements to rewild the
world around us gain pace, tree planting is being recognised as an
empowering, practical and surprisingly simple action that each and
every one of us can do in our backyard, park, local community,
school, town or city. Sections in this book include: Trees and the
World - This sectioncelebrates just how vital trees are, from how
they help regulate the climate and absorb dangerous methane and
nitrous oxide, to how they enrich soil, support wildlife and keep
our city air clean, as well as the threats they face from climate
change. Growing Your Own Tree - Tips on growing saplings from seed,
cuttings or grafting, plus guidance on care and maintenance, from
weeding and mulching to when to prune and pollard. Forty Best Trees
- A guide to the top40 of our favourite trees, appreciated for
their fruit and nuts, their ornamental value and the role they play
in supporting wildlife, including a neat introduction to how to
recognise trees by their leaf shape, flowers, seeds and fruit.
Trees and Happiness - Research has revealed that trees are
effective at reducing stress levels and improving our mental
well-being, and this section digs into exactly how this happens.
Whether you're a keen gardener, an avid environmental activist or
simply want to learn more about these beautiful and powerful
organisms, this must-read book illustrated by popular
screen-printerRosanna Morris sends the powerful message that we can
plant a tree & retree the world!
There is more folklore, mythology and magic associated with our
trees and forests than with any other living things. Known
throughout the world as dark and wild places where witches make
mischief and eerie creatures dwell, forests are also places of
sanctuary for the ancient magic and the most enchanting species of
trees. Kew: Witch's Forest is a beautifully illustrated,
captivating journey through the magical woodland and its stories,
from birch broomsticks and the sacred olive, to alder doorways and
the Tree of Life.
Marking the 800th anniversary of the Forest Charter, award-winning
botanical artist Christina Hart-Davies celebrates our long
relationship with trees. Since pre-historic times they have
provided us with shelter, fuel, medicine, food and even the air we
breathe. They have tanned leather, dyed cloth and made everything
from cathedrals to clothes-pegs. We have told stories about them,
admired their magnificent beauty and woven them into our spiritual
lives. Following A Wild Plant Year, which recorded the folklore and
cultural history of our native wildflowers, in The Greenwood Trees
Christina looks at the history, folklore and virtues of our native
trees - and a few well-known introductions too - all illustrated
with her exquisitely detailed watercolour paintings. We have relied
on trees throughout our history. We still do, and we always will.
Touch wood. * Which tree provides a talisman supposed to protect
against lightning? * Which firewood burns best, even when green? *
Which tree should you plant by the dairy and the privy to deter
flies?
'Kimmerer blends, with deep attentiveness and musicality, science
and personal insights to tell the overlooked story of the planet's
oldest plants' Guardian 'Bewitching ... a masterwork ... a
glittering read in its entirety' Maria Popova, Brainpickings Living
at the limits of our ordinary perception, mosses are a common but
largely unnoticed element of the natural world. Gathering Moss is a
beautifully written mix of science and personal reflection that
invites readers to explore and learn from the elegantly simple
lives of mosses. In these interwoven essays, Robin Wall Kimmerer
leads general readers and scientists alike to an understanding of
how mosses live and how their lives are intertwined with the lives
of countless other beings. Kimmerer explains the biology of mosses
clearly and artfully, while at the same time reflecting on what
these fascinating organisms have to teach us. Drawing on her
experiences as a scientist, a mother, and a Native American,
Kimmerer explains the stories of mosses in scientific terms as well
as within the framework of indigenous ways of knowing. In her book,
the natural history and cultural relationships of mosses become a
powerful metaphor for ways of living in the world.
These natural history guides have been developed to encourage young people and anyone with a budding interest in natural history to learn about the wonders of southern Africa's fascinating fauna and flora. They are an invaluable resource for the beginner, providing information at a glance: each of the species presented is described in easy-to-read text, with a photograph and distribution map. A short introduction gives context to the topic.
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