The Hidden Universe

<p><b>We don't know what we've got until it's gone...</b><br><br>This brief lucid book by the Director of Science at Royal Botanical Gardens takes you on an unforgettable tour of the natural world showing how <i>biodiversity</i> - the rich variety of life in the world and in our own backyards - provides both the source and the salvation of our existence. Combining inspiration stories and the latest scientific research Alex Antonelli reveals the wonders of biodiversity at a genetic species and ecosystem level - what it is how it works and why it's the most important tool in our battle against climate change.<br><br>A deeper understanding of biodiversity has never been more important as the slow violence of habitat loss has put the fate of almost one-fifth of all species on Earth at risk of extinction in the coming decades. These building blocks of life form a network that underpins almost every aspect of our lives providing invaluable sources of food medicine fibre clothing building material and more. With simplicity and clarity <i>The Hidden Universe</i> shows you not only what's at stake but what can be done (and is already being done) to protect and restore biodiversity around the world. It marks the arrival of a bold new voice in popular science.</p>