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9781952338250

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""A book that reimagines what is possible when people see themselves as part of the ecosystem rather than as its predator. Refreshing, thought-provoking--and delightfully illustrated."" --Civil Eats ""A rich and fascinating book, Sweet in Tooth and Clawis stunning in its vision of how, by embracing nature's cooperative, generous spirit, human beings might do part of the great work of helping the planet and its inhabitants to thrive."" -- starred review, Foreword Reviews ""Excellent and illuminating"" -- The Wall Street Journal ""The author has a clear storytelling style."" -- Kirkus Reviews ""Whether discussing individuals gardening with native plants or cities planning greener and more connected watersheds and ecosystems, Ohlson makes a compelling argument for working together and taking a lesson from the many instances of cooperation in nature."" -- Booklist Journalist Ohlson (The Soil Will Save Us) pushes back against the Darwinian notion that ""competition rules"" in this vivid survey. Despite the popular notion that nature is a ""vicious and never-ending battle of survival for meager resources,"" Ohlson makes a solid case that the opposite is often true. She starts with the revolutionary findings of forest ecologist Suzanne Simard, which showed cooperation among trees that share nutrients via underground fungal networks. Ohlson then moves on to discoveries among other organisms--including symbiotic cyanobacteria, which ""live side by side in floating communities""; Azya orbigera beetles, which ""love to be with ants"" per one ecologist; and beavers, which ""reengineer"" landscapes to feature ""vibrant wetlands"" where there was once ""dust and gravel""--as well as the development of regenerative farming practices that are used to ""protect soils from erosion and... add biodiversity."" Alongside the fascinating case studies, Ohlson reflects on her own connection to nature in oft-lyrical prose: ""The wild grasses dried into tiny lacerating spears; if I stepped into them, my mother would be at my feet with tweezers and a needle, its tip still hot and black from being held to a flame."" This is as charming as it is enlightening. Photos.-- Publishers Weekly This is as charming as it is enlightening. -- Publishers Weekly

Author Information

Kristin Ohlson is an author and freelance journalist in Portland, Oregon, who has published articles in the New York Times, Orion, Discover, Gourmet, Oprah, and many other print and online publications. Her magazine work has been anthologized in Best American Science Writing and Best American Science Writing. Ohlson's last book was The Soil Will Save Us: How Scientists, Farmers and Foodies are Healing the Soil to Save the Planet, which the Los Angeles Times called ""a hopeful book and a necessary one.... a fast-paced and entertaining shot across the bow of mainstream thinking about land use."" She appeared in the award-winning documentary film, Kiss the Ground, to speak about the connection between soil health and climate health. Ohlson lives in Portland, Oregon.

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