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Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > Plant life: general
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.
The Complete Language of Flowers is a comprehensive encyclopedia
providing the meanings, powers, facts, and folklore for over 1,001
flower species. Now in a pocket-size edition for easy, on-the-go
reference. Along with a beautiful visual depiction, each entry
provides the flower's scientific and common names, characteristics,
and historic meanings and powers from mythology, medieval legends,
folklore, and flower poetry. For centuries, symbolic flower
meanings have fascinated readers, writers, poets, and suddenly
smitten couples alike. Extremely popular during the Victorian era,
these floriographies flourished and versed the public on the hidden
meaning of popular flowers such as: Purple Tulip-Eternal love
Amaryllis-Adventurousness; Enthusiasm; Passion Daisy-Beauty and
innocence; Cheer; Childlike playfulness Sunflower-Ambition;
Constancy; Devotion Together with stunning full-color illustrations
and two indexes, one for searching by common flower name and the
other organized by meaning, this beautiful reference is a must-have
for gardeners, florists, and flower enthusiasts. Whether you're
looking to arrange the perfectly bespoken wedding bouquet or to
understand what the yellow rose you just received from an admirer
means (friendship), this updated floriography is a visual delight.
Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete
Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive,
display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics,
including birthday astrology, dream interpretation, techniques for
harnessing the power of dreams, and the stories behind signs and
symbols.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Over the years, Japanese gardeners have fine-tuned a distinctive
set of pruning techniques that coax out the essential characters of
their garden trees, or niwaki. In this highly practical book,
Western gardeners are encouraged to draw upon the techniques and
sculpt their own garden trees to unique effect. After discussing
the principles that underpin the techniques, the author offers
in-depth guidelines for shaping pines, azaleas, conifers,
broadleaved evergreens, bamboos, and deciduous trees. Complete with
abundant photographs, personal anecdotes and a wealth of advice,
this unprecedented resource will inspire gardeners everywhere to
transform their own trees into niwaki.
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.
This first volume of a two-volume definitive survey of aquatic and
wetland plants of the southeastern United States focuses on native
and naturalized monocotyledons in the following physiographic
provinces: Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains; southern Appalachian
highlands, flanked on the east by the Piedmont plateau and on the
west by the Appalachian plateau; the interior lowlands; and the
interior highlands.
Robert K. Godfrey and Jean W. Wooten provide well-written,
concise descriptions and keys for the identification of seven
hundred species. The text for each species includes both a
statement indicating the habitats in which the plant is usually
found and information about its geographical distribution.
Approximately four hundred drawings supplement the text and provide
additional information for proper identification. The authors use
nontechnical language whenever possible and include a glossary of
technical terms.
The first comprehensive survey of the aquatic and wetland
monocotyledons of the Southeast, this book will prove invaluable
for ecologists, botanists, and nonspecialists interested in the
plant life and ecology of the region.
Magic is not too strong a term for the appeal of this unique group
of plants, the Mesembs. Radiant in flower and highly diverse in
form and stature, this group includes plants as small as wheat
grains or as big as a rhinoceros. Their fruits are as complex as
any in the floral kingdom or as simple as saltshakers. Mesembs have
captured the imagination of botanists, horticulturalists and
travellers for many centuries. This title is a must for anyone who
want to experience the magic of mesembs.
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