New Books in Science

A. M. Barton and W. S. Keeton, "Ecology and Recovery of Eastern Old-Growth Forests" (Island Press, 2018)


Listen Later

Old-growth forests captivate and inspire us. Walking through them can transport us to a time before human domination of the natural world. This is especially the case with old-growth forests in the eastern part of the United States, a region with a long history of profound human disturbances of ecological regimes. Beyond their role as inspiration, old growth serves important ecological functions regionally and globally. These forests also provide several practical services to humans. How do scientists define old-growth forests? How can non-experts identify old forests and understand their importance locally and globally? These are some of the topics covered in Ecology and Recovery of Eastern Old-Growth Forests (Island Press, 2018) an anthology edited by Andrew Barton and William Keeton.

Ecology and Recovery of Eastern Old-Growth Forests (Island Press, 2018) is a perfect book for readers who want to learn the fundamentals of forest ecology and old growth in the east. Over thirty experts contributed to the book, writing chapters which range from the basics like defining and identifying old growth to more specialized subjects like the biological interactions below the forest floor. A large range of eastern forest types are covered, extending south from the boreal forest in central Canada to the bottomland hardwood forests and pine savannas of the American south. Those interested in human interactions with the forest through time will learn about Native American and Euro-American forestry. There are also chapters covering threats to old growth posed by invasive organisms.

This is not exclusively a book about regional environments as the latter chapters of Ecology and Recovery explain how old growth can help mitigate ecological problems in the United States and globally. There are chapters on the services that old growth provides, from improving stream quality to storing carbon. The authors also explain how old growth can be conserved and how forests can be managed to promote old-growth structures and features. The range of topics covered in the book is impressive and its relevance in a time of unprecedented ecological change should be clear.

Jason L. Newton is a visiting assistant professor of history at Cornell University. His book manuscript, Cutover Capitalism: The Industrialization of the Northern Forest, 1850-1950, is a history of the changing types of labor performed by people, trees, and the landscape in the American Northeast as that area industrialized. He has also published on nature, race, and immigration. He teaches classes on labor and the environment.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

New Books in ScienceBy New Books Network

  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4

4.4

13 ratings


More shows like New Books in Science

View all
Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

Science Friday

6,133 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,412 Listeners

Nature Podcast by Springer Nature Limited

Nature Podcast

757 Listeners

New Books in History by Marshall Poe

New Books in History

209 Listeners

The Art of Manliness by The Art of Manliness

The Art of Manliness

14,255 Listeners

New Books in Psychoanalysis by Marshall Poe

New Books in Psychoanalysis

193 Listeners

New Books in Military History by Marshall Poe

New Books in Military History

162 Listeners

New Books in African American Studies by New Books Network

New Books in African American Studies

161 Listeners

New Books in Anthropology by New Books Network

New Books in Anthropology

49 Listeners

New Books in Political Science by New Books Network

New Books in Political Science

63 Listeners

New Books in Philosophy by New Books Network

New Books in Philosophy

110 Listeners

New Books in American Studies by New Books Network

New Books in American Studies

29 Listeners

New Books in Intellectual History by New Books Network

New Books in Intellectual History

61 Listeners

Philosophize This! by Stephen West

Philosophize This!

15,093 Listeners

Making Sense with Sam Harris by Sam Harris

Making Sense with Sam Harris

26,469 Listeners

New Books in Asian American Studies by Marshall Poe

New Books in Asian American Studies

25 Listeners

You Must Remember This by Karina Longworth

You Must Remember This

14,033 Listeners

Philosophy For Our Times by IAI

Philosophy For Our Times

304 Listeners

The Michael Shermer Show by Michael Shermer

The Michael Shermer Show

916 Listeners

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas by Sean Carroll | Wondery

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

4,144 Listeners

Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe by iHeartPodcasts

Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

2,307 Listeners

The world, the universe and us by New Scientist

The world, the universe and us

114 Listeners

The Ancients by History Hit

The Ancients

3,053 Listeners

The Rest Is History by Goalhanger

The Rest Is History

13,109 Listeners

Not Just the Tudors by History Hit

Not Just the Tudors

1,983 Listeners