164 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Book Reviews
While Some Trees Stand. By Garth Christian. 192 pages. Newnes. 1963.
21/-.
This book should be read by every naturalist. Garth Christian tells,
in a clear, straightforward, and often amusing manner, the story of wild
life in the diminishing British countryside, and of the unprecedented
dangers confronting wild life to-day.
The decline of many of the species so long taken for granted, such as
the nightingale, cuckoo, peregrine falcon, sparrow hawk, red squirrel,
weasel, and stoat, is described, and a warning given that unless there is
still greater support for conservation some of our most cherished wild
creatures will surely cease to exist.
The argument has been heard that serious naturalists should concern
themselves only with their studies, and remain aloof from the issues of
conservation. In case there are still a few misguided individuals who hold
this sad view, it must be emphasized that all naturalists, of all levels of
proficiency, have a duty to take an active interest in the conservation of
wild life. Responsible nature conservation is vital for at least three
reasons. Firstly, because as trustees of the Earth and its creatures of
millions of years of evolution, we have a moral responsibility to see that
no destruction takes place that can be avoided. Secondly, because the
beauty of nature must be preserved for our descendants. Thirdly, be-
cause to destroy wild life is to destroy sources of biological information
which may prove of almost unbelievable importance for the future of
Mankind, in view of the development of biological science.
The British countryside shrinks each year by an area larger than the
whole of Warwickshire, and as the human population continues to in-
crease, the woodlands and hedgerows disappear under concrete and
sprayed fields. The more one learns of the facts of the problem, the
more one realizes the urgency of the need to conserve what is left of our
natural heritage.
An outstanding feature of Garth Christian's book is the admirable fair-
ness with which the author examines each question, showing the need
for conservation with full regard for the needs of agriculture, forestry,
and so on. The book contains some first-class natural history, and is well
worth reading for its observations alone. There are several excellent
illustrations, including one of the Hales Wood National Nature Reserve
in Essex.
In his conclusion, Garth Christian points to the need for more research
into ecology and conservation problems, and for more public notice to be
taken of the findings of scientists. No less vital is the need for awareness
by the general public of the importance and urgency of the matter.
As Mr. Aubrey Buxton has said of nature conservation, quoted by Mr.
Christian, for perhaps four-fifths of our population "the very words convey
no more than a vague impression of Women's Institute members bottling
jam". The author also points out that a large section of the public
regards the naturalist as a crank, "a bug-hunter whose hobby is no more