Waubonsee Community College

The power of trees, how ancient forests can save us if we let them, Peter Wohlleben ; translated by Jane Billinghurst

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 246-261) and index

index present

non fiction

The power of trees

bibliography

1341261533

Peter Wohlleben ; translated by Jane Billinghurst

how ancient forests can save us if we let them

"From the international bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees. An illuminating manifesto on ancient forests: how they adapt to climate change by passing their wisdom through generations, and why our future lies in protecting them. In his beloved book The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben revealed astonishing discoveries about the social networks of trees and how they communicate. Now, in The Power of Trees, he turns to their future, with a searing critique of forestry management, tree planting, and the exploitation of old growth forests. As human-caused climate change devastates the planet, forests play a critical role in keeping it habitable. While politicians and business leaders would have us believe that cutting down forests can be offset by mass tree planting, Wohlleben offers a warning: many tree planting campaigns lead to ecological disaster. Not only are these trees more susceptible to disease, flooding, fires, and landslides, we need to understand that forests are more than simply a collection of trees. Instead, they are ecosystems that consist of thousands of species, from animals to fungi and bacteria. The way to save trees, and ourselves? Step aside and let forests--which are naturally better equipped to face environmental challenges--heal themselves. With the warmth and wonder familiar to readers from his previous books, Wohlleben also shares emerging scientific research about how forests shape climates both locally and across continents; that trees adapt to changing environmental conditions through passing knowledge down to their offspring; and how old growth may in fact have the most survival strategies for climate change. At the heart of The Power of Trees lies Wohlleben's passionate plea: that our survival is dependent on trusting ancient forests, and allowing them to thrive."--, Provided by publisher

Introduction -- The wisdom of trees. When trees make mistakes -- A thousand years of learning -- Seeds of wisdom -- Filling up in winter -- Red flags for aphids -- Early risers and late sleepers -- Forest air-conditioning -- When rain falls in China -- Take care and stand back -- Underrated all-rounders -- When forestry fails. Backed up against a wall -- Butchery in the beech forest -- Germany's search for the supertree -- Good intentions, poor outcomes -- The new bark beetle? -- Wolves as climate guardians -- Is wood as eco-friendly as we think? -- It's time to pay up -- The toilet paper argument -- More money, less forest -- The ivory tower wobbles -- What's on your plate? -- Forests of the future. Every tree counts -- Does everyone have to be on board? -- A breath of fresh air -- The forest will return -- Afterword: Accepting ignorance and treading carefully in the forest