Noted with interest

Pine marten: The secret life of Martes martes. Bagur, D. 2025. Pelagic Publishing, London, UK. xviii+214 pp. £28.00 (paperback). ISBN 978-1-78427-427-6.

It was tempting to fill this review with eloquent, insightful, and enlightening quotes from one of the most engaging science books this reviewer has read in a long time. The author bought a derelict house on the west coast of Ireland, inspired largely by finding a pine marten scat in the garden (the book focusses mainly on Martes martes, but also compares close relatives). Since then, martens dominated Bagur's life, to judge from the many insights he brings from his own observations plus 209 of his fascinating photos. His writing is accurate, yet inspirational. After centuries of persecution, he describes how martens “clung on the edge, hanging from the precipice [of extermination] by a single claw… they stared back at humanity and they survived.” In a key quote, he argues that “[the] common misconception that Pine Martens are killers… cannot be held by those [who] understand ecology… [They] do of course kill, but they also create the conditions required for an explosive abundance of life.” Although the chapter on predators and threats focusses on Britain and Ireland, the other chapters, covering the marten's life and behavior, are relevant throughout the species’ range. Some observations are revelatory, like Bagur's discovery that their main retreats are in “marten maze” tunnel systems built in dense vegetation—and many hours of watching martens defecate must have informed his explanation of what he calls their “scat wiggle.” The book will appeal to anyone interested in a species described as being “full of personality, courage and inquisitive charm.”

Natural science and Indigenous knowledge. The Americas experience. Johnson, E. A., and S. M. Arlidge, editors. 2024. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. xvi+272 pp. £49.99 (hardcover). ISBN 978-1-00-941667-2.

How can scientists and Indigenous people learn from each other, and how can science and Indigenous knowledge be combined without losing the totality of both? These are challenging and worthy questions. This book is a collection of diverse case studies, edited by 2 extraordinary people. One of them is an ecosystem ecologist who uses biogeoscience to study natural disturbances, such as fire. The other is a science outreach teacher, a park naturalist, and a trained snowshoeing guide. They are leading world experts, so I opened the book with high expectations and was not disappointed. What they have written is deep, reliable, and respectful. Among the contributors is a book-writing Indigenous Tlingit leader, the chairman of the Pahrump Paiute Tribe, several researchers who have long-term experience in collaborating with Indigenous tribes, and a professor who is an adopted member of the Tlingit Kaagwaantaan clan. All chapters explore how scientific and traditional knowledge systems can be connected. For example, there are chapters on cultural natural landscapes, camas bulb cultivation, the diachronic model of adaptation, and environmental education grounded in Indigenous and space-based approaches. I recommend this book for students, researchers, teachers, and conservation practitioners who may not yet know what they want to study but are attracted to Indigenous knowledge and wish to work with and for Indigenous Peoples.

Foundations of stream and river ecology. A guide to the classic literature. Cross, W. F., J. P. Benstead, A. M. Marcarelli, and R. A. Sponseller, editors. 2024. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. xvii+223 pp. US$30.00 (paperback). ISBN 978-0-226-83713-0.

The book is a significant guide to tracing the emergence and development of river ecology as a science. In 10 thematic chapters, readers are introduced to key ecological concepts ranging from physical structure (geomorphology, hydrology) to species interactions, food webs, organic matter decomposition, nutrient dynamics, stream-land linkages, and the importance of place-based research. Rather than reprinting full articles, the editors provide insightful summaries and thoughtful commentary that illuminate the significance of each selected paper. This structure not only offers historical perspective but also helps readers form a solid foundation from which to explore open scientific questions and future directions. Special emphasis is given to the foundational paradigms that continue to shape stream ecology, such as the river continuum concept, dynamic equilibrium models, and the role of habitat heterogeneity in driving ecological patterns and processes. The book sheds light on the theoretical background and development of these ideas. This volume is a good companion for students, researchers, and educators interested in freshwater ecosystems. It combines scholarly depth with accessible analysis, making it both a tribute to classic ecological work and a springboard for the next generation of aquatic scientists.

Feathered entanglements. Human–bird relations in the Anthropocene. Simon, S. E., and F. Laugrand, editors. 2024. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver, Canada. xi+ 340 pp. CA$99.00 (hardcover). ISBN 978- 0-774-87000-9.

Since 1800, approximately 150 bird species have vanished, a stark indicator of widespread, human-driven environmental degradation. Yet, the destinies of birds and humans—as for all living beings—are deeply intertwined, often in profoundly personal ways, as illustrated by the accounts presented in this book. Described by its authors as “an eclectic mix of traditional ethnography, poetics, and even art,” the book lives up to this characterization. Each chapter—loosely grouped thematically, much like some bird species in flight—integrates a notably diverse range of perspectives on and methods applied to the study of bird–human relationships, from comprehensive overviews by experienced scholars to artistic contributions by doctoral students. Collectively, they offer a rich and varied exploration of bird–human relationships. This heterogeneity is intellectually stimulating and conducive to reflection on one's own relationships with birds. From the Ibaloy people's belief that birds lack foreknowledge of human events yet serve as important messengers, to Hitchcock's 1963 film The Birds, to the foundational theories of thinkers, such as Jakob von Uexküll and Tim Ingold, the book offers something with which every reader can engage. It acknowledges the multiplicity of worldviews, asserting that although individuals often maintain a strong belief in the validity of their own perspective, these perspectives are continually shaped and reshaped—especially through engagement with alternative ways of seeing the world.

Oak origins: From acorns to species and the tree of life. Hipp, A. L. 2024. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. 288 pp. US$35.00 (hardcover). ISBN 978-0-226-82357-7.

This book on oaks is like a journey—or rather, several journeys—through space, time, and theory. It touches on many cultural and historical aspects, making it a cultural–historical journey as well—from the development of plant systematics through the concepts of evolution and species, to the tree of life, and eventually to the oak tree of life. This thematic journey explores the life history and reproductive biology of oaks; their complex taxonomy, sections, and subgenera; and the intricate relationships among them. The spatial journey follows the distribution of oak species across Central and North America, Europe, and East Asia. The journey in time begins with the origin of the Fagales around 93 million years ago. It continues with the formation of the Quercus genus, its spatial and temporal spread, and the evolution of today's diverse oak species. Toward the end of the book are predictions about future changes, including the vulnerability of oaks and the possibilities for their conservation and protection. The book is full of fascinating facts. Particularly striking is that “in Europe, the inferred rate of human migration closely corresponded to the rate of oak migration at approximately 40,000 and 18,000 years ago.” This remarkable finding reflects the deep and complex relationship between oaks and human cultures. Overall, this publication serves as a solid scientific work and an accessible educational resource, making it valuable for readers at all levels who are interested in oaks.