Nature Guide to the New Zealand Forest

Forest and Bird, Issue 298, 1 November 2000, Page 44

Nature Guide to the New Zealand Forest

by John Dawson and Rob Lucas, 312pp limp, Godwit, Auckland 2000, RRP$45. Two experts, who have produced fine studies of our natural world before, now combine their talents in a general guide to the world of our forests. The idea of melding the trees and shrubs with the other plants and creatures which live in the forest is a welcome addition to the burgeoning shelf of New Zealand nature guides. The author (Dawson) and photographer (Lucas) cover trees and shrubs; vines, epiphytes and mistletoes; life on the forest floor; birds, lizards, frogs and bats; and insects and other invertebrates. They take you into the forest and ask you to begin looking at the tall trees, and gradually work down to the forest floor, and the animals in the forest. Because of the great variety of life forms, some groups, such as insects, are covered in broad detail with only a few representatives of main families. These do, however,

draw attention to the diversity of forest life. Marginal notes on special features and relationships are included, along with directions to further readings. The book uses scientific language but for the enthusiast it is a fascinating companion, drawing attention broadly to the features of the forest.