‘Lichens: The Macrolichens of Ontario and the Great Lakes Region of the United States’
By R. Troy McMullin
Firefly Books, 2023, 608 pages
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ISBN: 9780228103691
Lichens are fascinating, but I know very little about them so I was pleased to get R. Troy McMullin鈥檚 beautiful field guide “Lichens.” I particularly like that the book focuses on those lichens in Ontario and includes 鈥溾ll 453 macrolichens (fruticose and foliose forms) known from Ontario.鈥
After including information on what lichens are (symbiotic organisms usually composed of a fungus and an alga), their common structures, ecological roles and a section on 鈥淗ow to Use This Book,鈥 the main part of the guide looks at the various lichen species found in Ontario.
The field guide is comprehensive and full of stunning colour photographs. A range map is included for each species, along with information on vernacular names, description, habitat, distinctive features, distribution and more. Also included in the book is 鈥淚dentification Keys to Ontario鈥檚 Macrolichen Genera鈥, an 鈥淚llustrated Glossary鈥 and eight lined pages for notes. I am going to enjoy looking through this exceptional field guide.
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“The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees” by Douglas W. Tallamy.
Glenn Perrett photo
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‘The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees’
By Douglas W. Tallamy
Timber Press, 2021, 197 pages
ISBN: 9781643260440
Douglas W. Tallamy is one of my favourite nature writers and I received a good 鈥 and entertaining 鈥 education reading his book “The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees.” The 25-acre property I call home is slowly getting more oak trees thanks to a few larger oaks and some squirrels.
We are also growing oak trees from seeds and planting some small oak trees as well. And while I knew that native oak trees are an important part of our ecosystem, I wasn鈥檛 aware just how beneficial they are until I read Tallamy鈥檚 informative and interesting book. According to the author, 鈥淥aks support more forms of life and more fascinating interactions than any other tree genus in North America.鈥
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Tallamy looks at what is occurring with oaks and the various animals and insects who use them by month beginning in October. Not only are acorns an important food supply for birds and mammals, but oaks support an incredible number of insects who, in turn, sustain many species of birds and other animals.
And oak trees are home to an incredible diversity of species. According to Tallamy, the county in Pennsylvania where he lives sees 鈥511 species of moths and butterflies develop on oaks 鈥 nearly 100 more species than their closest competitors, the native cherries. No other tree genus supports so much life.鈥
Along with supporting an incredible array of biodiversity, oak trees have numerous other vital benefits including climate moderation, air pollution control, production of oxygen, carbon sequestration and watershed management.
Complementing the fascinating text is a section at the back of the book on 鈥淗ow to plant an oak鈥 that includes choosing a site, planting acorns versus established trees and much more. I鈥檝e been planting oaks, giving them considerable room to grow, but Tallamy states the benefits of planting a grove of oaks where their roots will interlock as they grow makes the trees less vulnerable to blowing down when they mature.
“The Nature of Oaks” is an interesting nature book and a 鈥渕ust read鈥 if you are considering planting oak trees or caring for an ecosystem.
“The Little Book of Mushrooms: An Illustrated Guide to the Extraordinary Power of Mushrooms” by Alex Dorr, illustrated by Sara Richard.
Glenn Perrett photo
‘The Little Book of Mushrooms: An Illustrated Guide to the Extraordinary Power of Mushrooms’
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By Alex Dorr, illustrated by Sara Richard
Adams Media, 2023, 256 pages
ISBN: 9781507219591
Whether you are interested in learning about mushrooms or would like a beautifully-illustrated guide of 75 mushroom profiles, you will enjoy this fascinating book featuring 鈥溾he remarkable properties of these unique, beautiful, and scientifically astounding fungi.鈥
The book begins with 鈥淎 Basic Introduction to Mushrooms鈥 which includes sections on 鈥淲hat Are Mushrooms?鈥 as well as 鈥淭he Life Cycle of Mushrooms鈥, 鈥淜inds of Mushrooms鈥 鈥 and more. Part Two covers the 75 species of mushrooms from 鈥淎borted Entoloma鈥 to the 鈥淶ombie-Ant Fungus.鈥 In these profiles, you will learn about the mushrooms featured, including their geographic location, where they grow in the environment, their characteristics and their primary use.
Complementing the fascinating text by Alex Dorr are exceptional illustrations by Sara Richard. “The Little Book of Mushrooms: An Illustrated Guide to the Extraordinary Power of Mushrooms” is a beautiful book for nature enthusiasts.
