Green Planet: How Plants Keep the Earth Alive

"The title says it all. Green Planet does for plants what Diane Ackerman's A Natural History of the Senses does for our sensory experiences." -- Eldon H. Franz * Washington State University * "If you are not convinced of the critical value of plants to people you will be after reading Stanley Rice's Green Planet. Rice's expertise, paired with his engaging style, awakens readers to the importance of the environmental services provided by plants." -- Sir Ghillean Prance FRS * scientific director, The Eden Project * "Stanley Rice writes with charm and clarity. Not since Corner's Life of Plants has there been a contestant for this role in the world of scientific publishing about plants for general readers." -- Steward T. A. Pickett * distinguished senior scientist and project director, Cary Institute of Ecosystem * "An intriguing and deeply passionate account of how plants keep us all alive. Rice explores the numerous ways that plants sustain life in ways more surprising and captivating than anything you'll remember from school. Green Planet explains the nature of plants on a far deeper level. It's fascinating, and more interconnected to all the economic and ecological concerns of today than most recognize." * Earth Justice * "The ecosystems of the planet that humans depend on for fresh air, water, and food are increasingly stressed. The fact that green plants are at the functional core of these ecosystems is not generally appreciated, and the point is clearly and concisely made in this book by Rice. This work is notable for its breadth of coverage of not only how plants directly affect humans but also of how plants affect the functioning of the ecosystems that humans need for a range of goods and services. Highly recommended." * Choice * "The title says it all. Green Planet does for plants what Diane Ackerman's A Natural History of the Senses does for our sensory experiences." -- Eldon H. Franz * Washington State University * "If you are not convinced of the critical value of plants to people you will be after reading Stanley Rice's Green Planet. Rice's expertise, paired with his engaging style, awakens readers to the importance of the environmental services provided by plants." -- Sir Ghillean Prance FRS * scientific director, The Eden Project * "Stanley Rice writes with charm and clarity. Not since Corner's Life of Plants has there been a contestant for this role in the world of scientific publishing about plants for general readers." -- Steward T. A. Pickett * distinguished senior scientist and project director, Cary Institute of Ecosystem * "An intriguing and deeply passionate account of how plants keep us all alive. Rice explores the numerous ways that plants sustain life in ways more surprising and captivating than anything you'll remember from school. Green Planet explains the nature of plants on a far deeper level. It's fascinating, and more interconnected to all the economic and ecological concerns of today than most recognize." * Earth Justice * "The ecosystems of the planet that humans depend on for fresh air, water, and food are increasingly stressed. The fact that green plants are at the functional core of these ecosystems is not generally appreciated, and the point is clearly and concisely made in this book by Rice. This work is notable for its breadth of coverage of not only how plants directly affect humans but also of how plants affect the functioning of the ecosystems that humans need for a range of goods and services. Highly recommended." * Choice *