The rainforest explained

A new book explores tropical treasure troves in words and images

Written byThe Scientist
| 2 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
2:00
Share
linkurl:Adrian Forsyth;http://www.bluemoonfund.org/profiles/profiles_show.htm?doc_id=358450&attrib_id=11427 knows rainforests. With friends and photographers linkurl:Michael and Patricia Fogden,;http://www.fogdenphotos.com/ the Harvard-trained ecologist and Smithsonian Institution researcher has made a career out of exploring tropical ecosystems from Central and South America to Asia. In his latest book, linkurl:__Nature of the Rain Forest: Costa Rica and Beyond__,;http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/cup_detail.taf?ti_id=5286 Forsyth describes the amazing plant and animal diversity lurking in the lush, imperiled forests of Central and South America. Brilliant photos taken by the Fogdens spring off the page and illustrate Forsyth's insights in vibrant color. Forsyth took some time to talk with __The Scientist__ and describe his experiences in the rainforest and his crusade to protect them as the vice president of programs at the Blue Moon Fund, a conservation organization. Images from __Nature of the Rainforest__ all © Michael and Patricia FogdenFrom the introduction by E. O. Wilson:__Palentologists have recorded five episodes of mass extinction during the past 600 million years, the length of time spanning the history of modern life-forms in the sea and on the land. The present spasm, which includes the destruction of rain-forests and other rich natural habitats, is the sixth episode and potentially the most dangerous for life as a whole: Not only does the cut promise to be deeper, but for the first time, even plant species are being eliminated in large numbers. A further warning: The average life span of a species and its descendants in the past has been from 1 to 10 million years, depending on group. The time required for the loss in diversity to be restored by natural species formation following previous episodes has been 5 to 10 million years.__linkurl:__Nature of the Rain Forest: Costa Rica and Beyond__,;http://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rainforest-Costa-Beyond-Comstock/dp/0801474752 by Adrian Forsyth, photographs by Michael and Patricia Fogden, foreword by E. O. Wilson, Cornell University Press, 2008. 200 pp. ISBN: 978-0-8014-7475-0. $29.95.
Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here
Share
Illustration of a developing fetus surrounded by a clear fluid with a subtle yellow tinge, representing amniotic fluid.
January 2026, Issue 1

What Is the Amniotic Fluid Composed of?

The liquid world of fetal development provides a rich source of nutrition and protection tailored to meet the needs of the growing fetus.

View this Issue
Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Unchained Labs
Graphic of three DNA helices in various colors

An Automated DNA-to-Data Framework for Production-Scale Sequencing

illumina
Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

Abstract illustration of spheres with multiple layers, representing endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm derived organoids

Organoid Origins and How to Grow Them

Thermo Fisher Logo

Products

Brandtech Logo

BRANDTECH Scientific Introduces the Transferpette® pro Micropipette: A New Twist on Comfort and Control

Biotium Logo

Biotium Launches GlycoLiner™ Cell Surface Glycoprotein Labeling Kits for Rapid and Selective Cell Surface Imaging

Colorful abstract spiral dot pattern on a black background

Thermo Scientific X and S Series General Purpose Centrifuges

Thermo Fisher Logo
Abstract background with red and blue laser lights

VANTAstar Flexible microplate reader with simplified workflows

BMG LABTECH