Nature's Magicians
Product details
- ISBN 9781836432678
- Dimensions: 135 x 216mm
- Publication Date: 10 Sep 2026
- Publisher: Oneworld Publications
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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From the broad leaves of Britain's forests to the curious patterns of desert succulents – uncover how leaves shape our world.
Unless you’re an avid gardener, leaves might slip your notice. But from the smallest pavement crevices to the trees that line our streets, they’re everywhere. In fact, there are more leaves on Earth than stars in the galaxy. And they power much of the natural world – from salad to soil. Leaves are solar panels, rainmakers, lunch boxes, chemistry sets, mulch-makers and building material – all in one.
From the lush rainforests of the tropics, where the fight for light has given rise to magnificent leaves of all shapes, sizes and colours, to the strange, spectacular adaptations of desert plants, Jonathan Silvertown revels in the wondrous science and evolutionary success of these magicians of the natural world.
Jonathan Silvertown is honorary professor in the Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of more than 130 academic papers, a successful textbook and six popular science books. He has appeared on numerous podcasts and radio programmes including BBC Radio 4’s Start the Week.
