Demons in Eden : the paradox of plant diversity /

Silvertown (Open Univ., UK) offers a delightful series of vignettes about plant diversity and evolutionary biology. Written for nonspecialists, this work explains in common language many basic principles in evolutionary biology and environmental science. Silvertown writes in a way that enables readers with little science background to get a clear understanding of some basic scientific principles without compromising the accuracy of the science. This reviewer's only objection to the book is the use of the word demon. This can give the impression that some biological processes are evil, and that some qualitative assessment of the goodness of a species or a biogeographic event is important--though this is generally not a consideration in science. Despite this reservation about word choice, it is evident that Silvertown is a scientist who can communicate complex scientific ideas to the general public. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. General readers and lower-division undergraduates. M. S. Zavada Providence College

Anyone who has ever experienced the otherworldly proliferation of kudzu will appreciate the concept of Darwin's survival of the fittest theory run amok. Such rampant growers are what Silvertown terms Darwinian demons, biological superpowers with the potential to outproduce all other life-forms in their territory; but even though they may be evolutionary wonders, such demons are, somehow, kept in check. From Central American rain forests to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, and from Florida's lushly teeming wetlands to Japan's stark volcanic outcroppings, Silvertown examines a kaleidoscopic variety of habitats throughout the world to discover how plant biodiversity occurs, why it endures, and when it ceases. Even Homo sapiens, perhaps the ultimate Darwinian demon, comes under his scrutiny as Silvertown investigates the effects of hybridization and genetic engineering. In an educational and entertaining analysis of the nature of species diversity, Silvertown brings to fruition some 30 years of personal and professional research as he incisively probes current ecological conditions to reveal the considerable threats posed by these evolutionary intruders. --Carol Haggas Copyright 2005 Booklist