The Secret Network of Nature

Conservation organisations are often criticised for using charismatic animals to engage public interest. Peter Wohlleben can never be accused of this – here, the subjects of his musings include bacteria, fungi and bark beetles. Despite such apparently unpromising topics, this is a fascinating read, introducing trees that ‘taste’ deer saliva, flirtatious moths, seedling-“suckling” plants and raven-wolf friendships. Wohlleben says nature’s networks are so complex, we can’t ever know how our actions will change them. “We need to leave things alone – on as large a scale as possible.”