Plants Matter : Exploring The Becomings of Plants And People

An evocative and richly illustrated exploration of flowers and how, over the centuries, they have given us so much sustenance, meaning, and pleasure

This book explores how fire, plants and people coexist in the Anthropocene. In a time of dramatic environmental transformation, the authors examine how human impacts on the planetary system are being felt at all levels from the geological and the arboreal to the atmospheric. The book brings together the disciplines of human geography and art history to examine fire-plant-people alliances and multispecies world-making. The authors listen carefully to the narratives of bushfire survivors.

This book intends to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of both biotic and abiotic stresses through chapters that include case studies and literature reviews about these topics. There will be a particular focus on understanding the physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes observed in stressed plants as well as the mechanisms underlying stress tolerance in plants.

During our busy lives, it’s important to remember that old adage: “Stop and smell the roses.” But how sure are you that it’s an actual rose that you’re smelling, and not something entirely different?

Plant Therapy showcases the theory behind the recent surge in the 'self-care' approach to living with plants, no matter what your environment. We all know that being in or surrounded by nature is good for our health, but few of us take the time to understand why. As urbanization swallows up ecosystems, and humans move away from the environments they've adapted to, it has never been more important to understand the relationship between plants and people.

There is an essential connection between humans and plants, cultures and environments, and this is especially evident looking at the long history of the African continent. This book, comprising current research in archaeobotany on Africa, elucidates human adaptation and innovation with respect to the exploitation of plant resources. In the long-term perspective climatic changes of the environment as well as human impact have posed constant challenges to the interaction between peoples and the plants growing in different countries and latitudes.