World of Plants: Stories of Survival by Alexandra Davey

 

World of Plants: Stories of Survival by Alexandra Davey.

Published 15th November 2021 by Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.

From the cover of the book:

World of Plants: Stories of Survival tells the story of 100 plants which are part of the Living Collection at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and are endangered or threatened in the wild. This beautiful and fascinating book introduces readers to a host of charismatic plants that contribute to the rich biodiversity of our world. It features images and descriptions of each plant, identifying its origins, highlighting the nature of threats it faces and what is being done to save it.

The book is your chance to explore the stories of some of the world’s rarest and most threatened species through the Living Collections of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

These are stories of loss, resilience and restoration. Stories of what can be achieved when individuals, communities, organisations, governments and international bodies pull together. Stories of survival, in which we can all play a part.

*********************

My interest in the history of botany was piqued earlier this year when I read the incredible The Fair Botanists by Sara Sheridan (see my review here), which is centred around the newly established Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 1822. It is no surprise then that this book, World of Plants: Stories of Survival, which delves into the current work going on at the various sites now occupied by the RBGE, captured my attention.

Within the pages of this beautiful book, Dr Alexandra Davey, Science Policy & Impact Officer at the RBGE, takes us on a journey through one hundred species in their Living Collection that are under threat, but have bounced back to some degree through the important conservation work that they undertake.

Each plant highlighted includes a full colour photograph accompanied by details about the history and origin of the plants; which of the Edinburgh sites houses it (and if it is on display to the public); its conservation status (ranging from Vulnerable to Extinct in the Wild); and information about why each species is under threat.

While this may not be the kind of book you will read cover to cover, it is one which you find yourself picking up time and time again to browse the contents of, and it is full to the brim with fascinating information about the incredible range of biodiversity that the vital work of the RBGE encompasses. I think one of the things that makes this book so interesting is that although it necessarily brings home the shocking plight of the huge number of species that face extinction in the wild through pests, pathogens, invasive weeds, wildfires, habitat destruction, and climate change, it also shows that timely intervention can go some way to bringing these threatened plants back from the brink.

This book is both educational and entertaining, and leaves you with a positive message that we can contribute to the survival of plants such as these, especially by supporting the work of the brilliant organisations like the RBGE. 

World of Plants: Stories of Survival is available to to buy now in hardback from your favourite book retailer.

Thank you to RBGE for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review and to Love Books Tours for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.