Birds and Flowers: An Intimate 50 Million Year Relationship

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    Birds and Flowers: An Intimate 50 Million Year Relationship Author: Format: Hardback First Published: Published By: Pelagic Publishing
    string(3) "336"
    Pages: 336 Illustrations and other contents: 28 Plates, color Language: English ISBN: 9781784274511 Categories: , , , , , , , , ,

    Most people are familiar with hummingbirds and the balletic ways in which they feed on flowers. But did you know that these kinds of relationships first evolved at least 50 million years ago? And that nowadays at least 64 families of birds include species that act as pollinators, for tens of thousands of different plants? Not only of great ecological significance, such interactions have been the inspiration for art and literature, for stories about gods and warriors, and for branding guitars and even cheese. This is the first book that deals with bird pollination in all of its diversity.

    It looks beyond the iconic hummingbirds, sunbirds and honeyeaters, to assess the real breadth and significance of avian involvement with flowers. Pollinating birds have intricate lives that are often highly dependent on flowers, and the plants themselves are at the whim of birds for their reproduction. This makes them crucial players within many ecosystems, but these relationships are threatened by disease, habitat destruction and climate change.

    Yet there are also optimistic stories to be told about conservation and restoration projects that reveal the commitment of scientists, conservationists and the public to preserving these ecologically vital connections. This groundbreaking study reclaims birds as pollinators. It rescues them from being mere novelties of (especially Neotropical) natural history, and explores their interaction with flowers in all its significance.

    These associations carry huge importance in the world’s ecosystems, and are the drivers and objects of evolution. In addition, as a source of cultural inspiration, with a history stretching back millennia, they are part of the ongoing relationship between humanity and the rest of nature.

    Weight0.8 kg
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    This is a fine example of a book which is pitched to increase the public understanding of ecology and evolution, and succeeds. -- Mark Avery, author and environmental campaigner An important contribution to avian lore... I’ve little to add to the fulsome praise of other reviewers. Except that the writers style is surprisingly down to earth and chatty...having trudged through treacle with some academic works that in itself is a recommendation. -- Bo Beolens * fatbirder.com * delightful... [Birds and Flowers] fills a unique niche, focusing on interactions between two of the most loved groups of organisms and doing so in a highly engaging yet highly informative way. -- Diane R Campbell * Journal of Pollination Ecology * ...intriguing, educational, and likely to make you look at some bird families in a different light. -- John Miles * birdwatching.co.uk * A detailed treatment on the subject of bird pollination.  -- Ian Paulsen * The Birdbooker Report * This book is eminently worthwhile reading for anyone, scientist or lay person, who loves birds and flowers. -- Mariette Nowak * Birding * Impressive (and delightful!)... It’s a pleasure to spend time with Ollerton’s prose -- Mark Gamin * 10,000 Birds * very engaging... Ollerton’s book will certainly inspire this new generation of biologists to undertake additional field studies of interactions between birds and flowers. The book will also make an important contribution to the growing public awareness of the importance of pollination for the maintenance of biodiversity. -- Steven D. Johnson * Current Biology * Jeff Ollerton masterfully explores the intricate evolutionary dance between avian species and the floral world... Birds & Flowers is a delightful and educational read that will captivate anyone interested in ornithology, botany, or ecology. * Conservation Biology * Jeff's enthusiasm, humour and vast knowledge of the subject makes him the perfect guide to this exploration of the long-standing relationship between birds and flowers. I found the dual focus of the book fascinating. -- Nic Wilson, Guardian country diarist ...the book is very informative, well-written and enjoyable, and it should certainly be acquired by anyone interested in bird life and/or flowers, and natural history and histories, and I promise you that a new panoramic view of your favourite animals will open to you. -- Jens M. Olesen * IBIS *

    Author Biography

    Scientist and author Jeff Ollerton is a leading expert in the field of biodiversity, as well as a passionate natural historian and educator. His influential research on understanding and conserving plant–pollinator interactions has been widely used by national and international agencies to support conservation efforts.