The Life and Love of the Forest

Book excerpt: We are not alone: plants make up 80 per cent of the total biomass of Earth, while humans are only 0.0001 per cent.The forest is an intimate part of our lives and continues to play a central role in creating a liveable planet. From making the air we breathe and the climate tolerable to providing endless resources for shelter and food, forests have been with us for almost 400 million years and, despite our worst efforts, will be here after we have gone.Showcasing the work of leading nature photographers, The Life & Love of the Forest is a visual tour of our most remarkable woodlands. Bestselling author Lewis Blackwell takes us on a fascinating journey with evocative essays and insightful captions, exploring the developing science and curious histories of everything from microscopic life and the many animals through to the largest living things on the planet: the amazing trees that are the core engineering and architecture of the forest. Capturing the beauty of these magnificent and vital landscapes, this book celebrates the essential qualities of forests around the world while also promoting a future where humans and nature can coexist.