Made for Each Other: A Symbiosis of Birds and Pines / Edition 1

by Ronald M. Lanner

Overview

An account of the symbiotic relationship between pine trees and jays. A cycle of dependency has progressed for several million years as birds have effectively planted the trees that sustain them by dispersing the seeds. This book covers a wide range of regions, focusing on the Rocky Mountains and the American Southwest, but also ranging from the Alps to Finland, and from Siberia to China. The book is written from the perspectives of evolution, ecology and animal behaviour.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195089035
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	08/29/1996
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	9.19(w) x 6.11(h) x 0.61(d)
Lexile:	1380L (what's this?)

About the Author

Ronald M. Lanner is Professor Emeritus of Forest Resources at Utah State University. He is the author of a number of books, including The Piñon Pine, Trees of the Great Basin, Autumn Leaves: A Guide to the Fall Colors of the Northwoods, and the forthcoming, The Conifers of California.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction2. The Genus of Pines3. Stone Pine Seeds and Cones4. The Pine Birds5. The Top-of-the-Line Pinivore6. Memories7. Other Arrangements8. Who Needs Clark's Nutcracker? 9. Building Ecosystems10. The Odd Couple11. Pine Nuts and People12. Deviations13. Origins14. Is the Keystone Slipping? Notes References Index

Editorial Reviews

"A clear and convincing story of a fascinating example of the complexity of nature."—IBIS

"This accessible book will interest nature and bird enthusiasts."—Library Journal

"This is a wonderful book, and could be read with profit by anyone interested in birds, conservation, community ecology, or co-evolution."—Paul Ehrlich, co-author of The Birder's Handbook

"Original and fascinating....Easy to read [and] accessible."—Peter H. Raven, Director, Missouri Botanical Garden

"There are only two or three people in the world that could write this book from a position of authority, [Ronald M. Lanner] is perhaps the best equipped."—Stephen VanderWall, University of Nevada

"This book is recommended for larger collections and will be of interest to bird lovers and those with general nature interests."—Electronic Green Journal

From the Publisher

Combining personal research with the works of others, Lanner (professor emeritus, Utah State) presents a documented account of the obligatory mutualism that exists between those species of pines having wingless seeds and birds such as nutcrackers and jays. He explains how the food dependency of the birds on the pines has interacted with the tree's reproduction to result in the coevolution of both, with the birds being the directing force. Lanner proposes a new sequence in the evolution of the "limber pine complex" because of his findings. The importance of this bird-and- pine association in the plant and animal communities is discussed, as are the environmental threats that may destroy it. This accessible book will interest nature and bird enthusiasts. Recommended for larger collections.Frank Reiser, Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, N.Y.

Library Journal