Noted with interest

Abstract

A walk up the hill. Gadgil, M. 2023. Allen Lane, London, UK. x+424 pp. US$29.30 (hardcover). ISBN 978-0-670-09704-3.

Over 50 years, ever since completing a PhD at Harvard, Madhav Gadgil has conducted ecological and social research in India. He has been exceptionally active in applied issues associated with conservation, influencing policy, supporting local movements, and conducting surveys of both nature and people. This book is part autobiography, part historical summary of environmental change, and in substantial part detailed documentation of on-the-ground issues, illustrated by a lifelong affinity with India's Western Ghats. For readers of Conservation Biology, the most informative chapters cover the decline of wildlife (in 3 stages, precolonial, colonial, and postindependence) and the impacts of pollution. Throughout the book, Gadgil champions local autonomy: “Gadgil-Guha law states that environmental concern of any elected representative is inversely proportional to the size of their constituency.” He opposes the heavy handedness of the Forest Department in restricting access to protected areas, advocates legal hunting as a means to reduce human–wildlife conflict, goes after bribe-riddled mining megaprojects, and supports the development of locally run community forests. Models of conservation proposed by others (but not discussed in the book) include development of ecotourism associated with the rise of wealth, well-protected reserves, and continued strong laws against hunting. It would be of interest to compare these differing approaches, but it appears they are more complementary than alternative courses, and each needs to be tailored to the local situation, given the myriad forces at work across India.

Is anyone listening? What animals are saying to each other and to us. Hertzing, D. L. 2024. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. 218 pp. US$28.33 (hardcover). ISBN 978-0-226-35749-2.

This book is a deep dive into interspecies communication that encourages readers to take off their anthropocentric glasses—or perhaps headphones—and embrace a new perspective: that of other species. At the same time, it reminds us that humans are animals too and that evolution may have shaped shared ways of communication across species. Herzing traces the journey of humans attempting to understand animal communication, from early studies to modern advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning that have the potential to revolutionize this field. The book is illustrated, with clear and informative figures that enhance the reader's understanding of key concepts, particularly regarding the technologies used. Focusing on her decades-long research with Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), Herzing also explores findings on elephants, prairie dogs, bees, and other species, offering a broad and insightful view of current scientific knowledge on this field. Beyond the science, the book raises ethical questions about human interactions with other species, particularly in the context of studying interspecific communication. Although Herzing presents groundbreaking research, she also acknowledges the many uncertainties that remain, which may leave some readers craving firmer conclusions. However, this open-endedness is an honest reflection of the complexities of scientific discovery. Whether you are a researcher in the natural or social sciences, a student, or simply interested in animal intelligence and conservation, this book is for you.

A little queer natural history. Davis, J. L. 2024. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. viii+128 pp. £16.00 (paperback). ISBN 978-0-226-83703-1.

Josh L. Davis, a science writer at London's Natural History Museum, explores the diversity of sexual behavior in the natural world in A Little Queer Natural History. The book aims to challenge common assumptions and prejudices by showcasing how queerness exists beyond humans, demonstrating that sexual behavior is more varied in nature than traditionally believed. Written in an engaging style, the book is intended for a broad audience, including those interested in biology and LGBTQ+ topics. Davis takes care to explain biological terms, ensuring that readers of all backgrounds can follow along. Each chapter presents examples of queer behavior in various species, complemented by high-quality photographs and a useful collection of scientific references. However, the book has some structural and content-related weaknesses. The introduction is brief and primarily focused on terminology, sometimes in a contradictory way. For instance, although the author states that some terms, such as gay, lesbian, and queer, apply only to humans due to their connection to identity, later Davis uses, for example, gay behavior and lesbian activity when writing about animals, which may confuse readers. The choice of species does not follow any clear taxonomic order; animal and plant species are presented in a seemingly random manner. The use of vague, catchy, chapter subtitles adds little value. Some chapters lack depth, merely stating that queer behavior has been observed in a species without exploring its evolutionary or social significance. The inclusion of an extinct species, the duck-billed dinosaur, also feels out of place, offering only scant information with no clear relevance to the book's theme. Despite these drawbacks, A Little Queer Natural History is an informative read that broadens the reader's perspective on sexuality in nature.

The land is our community: Aldo Leopold's environmental ethic for the new millennium. Millstein, R. L. (2024). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. xiv+183 pp. US$29.00 (paperback). ISBN 978-0-226-83448-1.

Millstein, a philosopher of biology at the University of California, takes a closer look at how colleagues from diverse disciplines interpret, or rather often misinterpret, the ideas of Aldo Leopold, a hunter, forester, conservationist, ecologist, and wildlife manager, one of the great pioneers of conservation biology and environmental ethics. Millstein prepared this reinterpretation with the objective to bring Leopold's still valid messages to the 21st century. In her view, the argument for the land ethic is simple: “[I]f we accept ethical rules (limitations on our actions for dealing with individuals and society) because of our interdependence with other humans, then once we recognize that we are interdependent with other species, soils, and waters, we ought to extend our ethics to include our land communities as well.” She is right, this is the key message of Leopold's, A Sand County Almanac, published in 1949. Millstein spells out the central concepts of the book, which leads to debunking of the 6 myths surrounding the land ethic and a defense of the land ethic. I warmly suggest this book for those who had no chance to read Aldo Leopold's original writings, and especially for those who fear that widespread misinterpretations influenced their understanding of Leopold's land ethic.

Rooted in time: Living fossils and other tenacious plants. Gee, G. T. 2024. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. US$39.95 (hardcover) 280 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-4938-8.

Alongside the stars of paleontology, dinosaurs, the evolution of plant phylogeny receives undeservedly little attention from the reading public. Gee's spectacular and entertaining book (beautifully illustrated by Channing Redford) redresses this imbalance. Over 17 chapters, the professor of paleontology at the University of Bonn, Germany, traces the course of plant phylogeny from some of the oldest living organisms, the cyanobacteria, to ferns and the plant dinosaurs, cycads, to Nelumbo, one of the most lush flowers on Earth. The author traces the evolution of plants through examples of their adaptation to changing environments. Not only does he list the famous scientific curiosities of survival—Ginkgo, Wollemia, and Metasequoia—he also describes the great twists and turns of evolution, such as why plants grow tall and how the first seeds appeared, in the context of the separation of plants from water. The 3500-million-year history of the first photosynthetic plants culminated in a veritable revolution, leading to representatives of the flowering plants, unsurpassed in diversity and beauty, that have dominated Earth for 133 million years. Although Gee's book guides the reader through this unprecedented evolutionary development and explains many morphological concepts, it does not conceal the fact that paleobotanists cannot identify all the steps in this process in fossils. The precise paleobotanical descriptions are accompanied by a wealth of species lists and literature and ecological, horticultural, and cultural history that make this book an excellent read.

Saving the world: How forests inspired global efforts to stop climate change from 1770 to the present. Bennett, B. M., and G. A. Barton. 2024. Reaktion Books, London, UK. 272 pp. £18.00 (hardcover). ISBN 978-1-7891-4874-9.

This book explores the historical study of the relationship between forests and climate, a field with roots dating back centuries. A key and often debated aspect of this research is the role of forests in precipitation. Early naturalists observed reduced rainfall following deforestation—particularly in the tropics—leading to the hypothesis that forests significantly influence precipitation. However, lacking scientific proof, this idea was eventually dismissed by the emerging fields of meteorology and hydrology in the early 20th century. In the 1960s, advancements in spectrometry revealed the migration of water molecules, reaffirming the role of forests in rainfall generation. Research in the late 1970s, particularly in the Amazon, demonstrated that forests can produce up to 50% of their own precipitation. Recent studies suggest that forests also contribute to rainfall globally, including temperate regions, although the extent remains under investigation. The moisture generated by the forests migrates to areas downwind, a phenomenon poetically referred to as “rivers in the sky.” This book traces the evolution of climate botany through a rich array of scientific literature, interwoven with personal stories of scientists, naturalists, and policy makers engaged in climate science. By blending historical perspectives with contemporary discoveries, it offers a compelling narrative on forests’ role in climate regulation. Despite its significance, the fascinating story of climate botany remains little known. Addressing this critical knowledge gap, the book is essential reading for anyone interested in the intricate link between forests and the global water cycle.

An interdisciplinary approach to the theory and practice of wildlife corridors: Conservation, compassion and connectivity. Propen, A. D. 2024. Anthem Press, New York, NY. ix+123 pp. US$80.00 (hardcover). ISBN-13 978-1-78527-918-8.

This book is an investigation of the design, implementation, and effectiveness of wildlife corridors. It emphasizes an interdisciplinary perspective, integrating insights from ecology, conservation biology, landscape architecture, sociology, and environmental ethics, highlighting the importance of compassion in conservation efforts, advocating for strategies that consider both ecological connectivity and the well-being of individual animals. Through case studies and theoretical discussions, the book explores practical applications and challenges to creating functional wildlife corridors that promote biodiversity conservation and harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife and that involve Indigenous perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge. For landscape and conservation ecologists, this volume provides a comprehensive look at wildlife corridors from multiple disciplinary angles, offering both theoretical foundations and real-world case studies. This volume's interdisciplinarity, as it bridges ecology with social sciences, ethics, and policy, is its strength and makes it a great resource for ecologists collaborating with urban planners, policy makers, and nongovernmental organizations. The book has relevance for conservation practitioners because it offers practical guidance on integrating ecological principles based on social and ethical considerations, especially for experts involved in designing or implementing connectivity projects. Those working on habitat connectivity, metapopulation dynamics, and corridor design will also find value here. In sum, the volume promises a great read for anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of how wildlife corridors function and how they can be effectively implemented in conservation strategies.