The Arbornaut

April 12, 2021
Conservationist Lowman (Life in the Treetops: Adventures of a Woman in Field Biology) takes a passionate look at the “unexplored wonderland” of trees in this vivid survey of life among forest canopies. Over half of all land creatures live “about one hundred feet or more above our heads,” Lowman writes, and notes that, historically, information about trees has focused from “trunk-level,” despite the fact that the dark ground is vastly different from the sun-filled canopy. A self-professed “arbornaut,” Lowman recounts research experiences high in the foliage in Australia, where she studied leaves; India, where she learned about the canopies above endangered tigers; and Scotland, where she got her start as a master’s student in ecology. She offers snapshots of her childhood—born in Upstate New York, she collected wildflowers, twigs, bird nests, stones, and feathers—and mentions the difficulties she has faced as a woman working in field biology. Lowman shines in her ability to combine accessible science with exciting personal anecdotes that effectively convey the “thrill of aerial exploration” and bolster her case that trees—and sustainable ecosystems—are worth studying, protecting, and preserving. Nature lovers will find much to consider. Agent: Jessica Papin, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

Starred review from July 1, 2021

Lowman's contributions to ecology are numerous, as a professor, science communicator, international collaborator, and leader in conservation organizations. In this science-oriented memoir, she details a lifetime of experiences, starting with her childhood in rural New York, where she pressed wildflowers and measured eggshells. Early in her career, as a field biologist studying Australian rain forests, she realized that she couldn't truly observe trees and leaves from the ground; she decided to climb up into the forest canopy using slingshots, ropes, and a homemade harness. Soon, she was building aerial walkways on multiple continents, to bring researchers, students, and tourists into the tree canopy. Lowman organized international conferences to bring attention to biodiversity, build partnerships across national borders, and train the next generation of canopy explorers. In this memoir, she takes readers along as she meets biologists and ecologists and studies forests around the world. She also relates ongoing rampant racial and gender discrimination in science careers. VERDICT Lowman connects her life to her research in chronological chapters, interspersed with short histories of various tree species. A highly engaging read for fans of popular science or ecology titles, and budding (or experienced) scientists.--Catherine Lantz, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago Lib.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 15, 2021
A riveting memoir from "Canopy Meg," a pioneer in treetop science. Lowman, biologist and director of the TREE Foundation, points out that a scientist learning about a tree by studying its trunk makes as much sense as a doctor examining a patient by examining the big toe. But that's how it was done for centuries. Just as scuba gear inspired more advanced ocean research during the 1950s, ropes and harnesses opened up treetops in the 1980s. Calling forest canopies the eighth continent is no exaggeration. "Upward of half of all terrestrial creatures," writes Lowman, "live about one hundred feet or more above our heads....Across more than sixty thousand species of trees, nearly every one hosts unique communities." The author excelled in a discipline in which she was often the only woman and succeeded despite encounters with discouragement and harassment. Obtaining an undergraduate degree in the U.S., a masters in Scotland, and a doctorate in Australia, Lowman plunged into field research, teaching, speaking, and becoming the "mother of canopy research." Her obsession became foliage--not a gripping subject except in her hands. Part of a complex architecture, leaves on a single tree differ dramatically. Larger and darker lower leaves efficiently use tiny amounts of light that filter down. Top foliage is smaller, thicker, and bright green: a high-powered chlorophyll factory suited to hot, sunny conditions. Eventually, Lowman turned her attention to the universe of largely unknown insects that feed off the leaves. While some publications cite about 5% to 8% annual defoliation, the author discovered that canopies routinely suffer up to 25% damage. Lowman ends her chronological account halfway through, devoting the remainder to lively descriptions of her discoveries, educational activities, and conservation advocacy. With more than 15 billion trees cut down each year and climate change accelerating insect losses, she urges advocates of protecting endangered animals to pay more attention to the destruction of the forests they inhabit. Solid science combined with a pleasing writing style make for a winning book.

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