The Science of Garden Biodiversity – The Living Garden

Julian Doberski
Pimpernel Press Ltd, £9.99

Gardens are living entities and, as gardeners understand, plants – especially trees and shrubs – create their own ecological niches. Understanding the biodiversity engendered by these processes is the purpose of this concisely-presented text. Within only 133 pages Julian Doberski admirably describes the importance of biodiversity and, coincidentally, the responsibilities of gardeners for its preservation. This emphasises the onus on gardeners for valuing biodiversity and its linkages to moderating climatic changes.

Without sacrificing scientific rigour, the author embraces in 13 very short chapters, how, where and why biodiversity  exists in  the  garden. The author encapsulates the background and essential principles of both ecosystem services and soils in short chapters, which elsewhere fill large tomes.  The final chapter provides a useful tool for conducting their own individual surveys.

The author has a lifetime of understanding biodiversity and provides a book which is well suited for the widest possible readership. That includes students of all levels and general readers wanting a simple but accurate guide into biodiversity.

Professor Geoffrey R Dixon FRSB

Reviewed by Professor Geoffrey R Dixon FRSB, Research Fellow in the School of Agriculture, Policy & Development at the University of Reading