Demons in Eden: The Paradox of Plant Diversity - Softcover

Silvertown, Jonathan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0226757722 ISBN 13: 9780226757728

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 2008

Synopsis

Jonathan Silvertown here explores the astonishing diversity of plant life in regions as spectacular as the verdant climes of Japan, the lush grounds of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, the shallow wetlands and teeming freshwaters of Florida, the tropical rainforests of southeast Mexico, and the Canary Islands archipelago, whose evolutionary novelties—and exotic plant life—have earned it the sobriquet “the Galápagos of botany.” Along the way, Silvertown looks closely at the evolution of plant diversity in these locales and explains why such variety persists in light of ecological patterns and evolutionary processes. In novel and useful ways, he also investigates the current state of plant diversity on the planet to show the ever-challenging threats posed by invasive species and humans.
      This paperback edition will include an entirely new chapter on the astonishing diversity of plant life in the Western Cape of South Africa that focuses on fynbos, a vegetation endemic to the Cape. Bringing the secret life of plants into more colorful and vivid focus than ever before, Demons in Eden is an empathic and impassioned exploration of modern plant ecology that unlocks evolutionary mysteries of the natural world.
     “Jonathan Silvertown has a knack for explaining complex biological concepts in an accessible and engaging way. He deftly uses analogy and example to illustrate his discussions, and often waxes lyrical in his descriptions.”—Viveka Neveln, American Gardener
       “Jonathan Silvertown’s enthusiasm for scientific sleuthing is infectious.”—Sara Alexander, Science 
      “A delightful series of vignettes about plant diversity and evolutionary biology. . . . It is evident that Jonathan Silvertown is a scientist who can communicate complex scientific ideas to the general public. . . . Highly recommended.”—Choice

About this title

About the Author:

Jonathan Silvertown is professor of ecology at the Open University, Milton Keynes. He is the author or editor of Integrating Ecology and Evolution in a Spatial Context; Plant Life Histories: Ecological Correlates and Phylogenetic Constraints; More Than the Parts: Biology and Politics; Introduction to Plant Population Biology; and An Orchard Invisible, forthcoming from the University of Chicago Press.

Review:

"A delightful series of vignettes about plant diversity and evolutionary biology. . . . It is evident that Silvertown is a scientist who can communicate complex scientific ideas to the general public. . . . Highly recommended." (Choice)

“Demons in Eden is a grand scientific narrative, full of vivid description, clear analysis, and personal warmth—an enthralling read and an important contribution to our understanding of biodiversity.”

(Oliver Sacks)

“An inspiring tour through the sheer wonder of plant life and the key ideas on how plant diversity came about. This book takes us inside the grand theatre of plant diversity—and also asks how we would like the current act to end.”
 

(Peter Crane, former director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)

“In a sequence of cameos each as invigorating as a stroll in a mountain meadow, with marvelous clarity and wit Jonathan Silvertown entices us on a quest. By means of fascinating insights, we explore those several paths along which scientists have deduced how plant diversity has arisen and is sustained. Hidden within these tales lies a rigorous text on evolution, the lessons from which are then compellingly applied to address those threats to diversity which we, the current demons, have created.”

(Peter Ashton, Harvard University)

“Demons in Eden is a riveting account of the effort to understand—and to stop—the tragic loss of plant species throughout the world. A compelling journey to the very frontiers of science that hold the answer to one of the most crucial questions of our age: why is nature disappearing and what can we do about it?”
 

(Paul Alan Cox, author of Nafanua: Saving the Samoan Rain Forest)

“In this highly readable and pleasantly anecdotal account of the dynamics of the plant world, Silvertown suggests that tasting the fruit of evolutionary knowledge may provide us with a ticket for readmission to the Garden of Eden, where we can exercise the privilege by ensuring that biodiversity is conserved. Let us hope that he is right.” (Peter D. Moore Nature)

"Silvertown leads the reader on a fascinating tour of the evolutionary and ecological research of the recent past that has addressed the nature of plant diversity, its origins and its maintenance. . . . This book is a quick read and Silvertown's style is engaging. I highly recommend it for biologists looking for a way to better comprehend the alien invasion happening all around us." (Richard G. Olmstead American Journal of Botany)

"Such an interesting, enjoyable, and educational read! . . . An approporiate read for college freshman. I will use it as one of my text-substitute readings the next time I teach honors biology. It would also be a good outline for an upper division/graduate seminar in plant ecology or evolutionary biology. . . . This slim volume should be in every biologist's library!" (Marshall D. Sundberg Plant Science Bulletin)

"The clarity of ecological analysis within this novella-length book is an enviable accomplishment. . . . Ultimately, Demons in Eden is a perceptive ecological narrative, a contemporary and evocative fugue of botanical exploration, evolutionary ecological theory . . . and insight into the very tenuous relationship between ecological robustness and global human impacts. Overall, it is the writer's ability to interweave a succinct analysis of plant evolutionary ecology, his engaging enthusiasm for scientific research and the intrinsic marvel of plant life that furnishes the enduring impressions of this book." (Caroline Chong Austral Ecology)

"This book deserves to be taken seriously. It is written so that the non-expert can get a sound understanding of difficult ecological and evolutionary principles. It is not beyond the grasp of policy makers and politicians, and might be described as required reading by people who will shape the future of our planet." (David F. Cutler Annals of Botany)

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0226757722
• ISBN 13: 9780226757728
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 202