The Arbornaut: A Life Discovering the Eighth Continent in the Trees Above Us

by Meg Lowman, Sylvia A. Earle (Contribution by)

Overview

“An eye-opening and enchanting book by one of our major scientist-explorers.” —Diane Ackerman, author of The Zookeeper’s Wife

Nicknamed the “Real-Life Lorax” by National Geographic, the biologist, botanist, and conservationist Meg Lowman—aka “CanopyMeg”—takes us on an adventure into the “eighth continent” of the world's treetops, along her journey as a tree scientist, and into climate action

Welcome to the eighth continent!

As a graduate student exploring the rain forests of Australia, Meg Lowman realized that she couldn’t monitor her beloved leaves using any of the usual methods. So she put together a climbing kit: she sewed a harness from an old seat belt, gathered hundreds of feet of rope, and found a tool belt for her pencils and rulers. Up she went, into the trees.

Forty years later, Lowman remains one of the world’s foremost arbornauts, known as the “real-life Lorax.” She planned one of the first treetop walkways and helps create more of these bridges through the eighth continent all over the world.

With a voice as infectious in its enthusiasm as it is practical in its optimism, The Arbornaut chronicles Lowman’s irresistible story. From climbing solo hundreds of feet into the air in Australia’s rainforests to measuring tree growth in the northeastern United States, from searching the redwoods of the Pacific coast for new life to studying leaf eaters in Scotland’s Highlands, from conducting a BioBlitz in Malaysia to conservation planning in India and collaborating with priests to save Ethiopia’s last forests, Lowman launches us into the life and work of a field scientist, ecologist, and conservationist. She offers hope, specific plans, and recommendations for action; despite devastation across the world, through trees, we can still make an immediate and lasting impact against climate change.

A blend of memoir and fieldwork account, The Arbornaut gives us the chance to live among scientists and travel the world—even in a hot-air balloon! It is the engrossing, uplifting story of a nerdy tree climber—the only girl at the science fair—who becomes a giant inspiration, a groundbreaking, ground-defying field biologist, and a hero for trees everywhere.

Includes black-and-white illustrations

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780374162696
Publisher:	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date:	08/10/2021
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	545,895
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 6.20(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

Meg Lowman, PhD, aka “CanopyMeg,” is an American biologist, educator, ecologist, writer, editor, and public speaker. She is the executive director of the TREE Foundation and a professor at the National University of Singapore, Arizona State University, and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Nicknamed the “real-life Lorax” by National Geographic and “Einstein of the treetops” by The Wall Street Journal, Lowman pioneered the science of canopy ecology. Her motto is “no child left indoors.” She travels extensively for research, outreach, and speaking engagements for audiences large and small.

Table of Contents

Foreword Sylvia A. Earle ix

Ten Tips of Field Biology for Every Aspiring Arbornaut xiii

Prologue! How to See the Whole Tree (and What That Means for the Forest) 3

1 From Wildflower to Wallflower: A Girl Naturalist in Rural America 9

American Elm (Ulmus americana) 27

2 Becoming a Forest Detective: First Encounters with Temperate Trees from New England to Scotland 31

My Favorite Birches (Betula papyrifera, B. pendula, and B. pubescens) 53

3 One Hundred Feet in the Air: Finding a Way to Study Leaves in the Australian Rain Forests 57

Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) 95

4 Who Ate My Leaves?: Tracking-and Discovering!-Australian Insects 99

Giant Stinging Tree (Dendrocnide excelsa) 123

5 Dieback in the Outback: Juggling Marriage and Investigations of Gum Tree Death in Australia's Sheep Country 127

New England Peppermint (Eucalyptus nova-anglica) 155

6 Hitting the Glass Canopy: How Strangler Figs and Tall Poppies Taught Me to Survive as a Woman in Science 159

Figs (Ficus spp.) 187

7 Arbornauts for a Week: Citizen Scientists Explore the Amazon Jungles 193

The Great Kapok Tree (Ceiba pentandra) 219

8 Tiger Tracks, Tree Leopards, and Vedippala Fruits: Exporting My Toolkit to Train Arbornauts in India 223

Vedippala (Cullenia exarillata) 247

9 A Treetop Bioblitz: Counting 1,659 Species in Malaysia's Tropical Forests in Ten Days 251

Dark Red Meranti (Shorea curtisii) 267

10 Building Trust Between Priests and Arbornauts: Saving The Forests of Ethiopia, One Church at a Time 271

Red Stinkwood or African Cherry (Prunus africana) 293

11 Classrooms in the Sky-for Everyone!: Wheelchairs and Water Bears in the Treetops 297

Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) 313

12 Can We Save Our Last, Best Forests?: Promoting Conservation Through Mission Green 319

Glossary 329

Acknowledgments 335

Index 339

Editorial Reviews

04/12/2021

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. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

★ 07/01/2021

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.

Library Journal

★ 2021-06-02
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.

Kirkus Reviews

A book can be a beacon, a roadmap, an education. The Arbornaut is all that.”
—Barbara Kiser, Los Angeles Review of Books

“Equal parts memoir, scientific reporting, love letter to the trees and a call to action in the face of the climate crisis . . . Most charming of all is Lowman’s joy and wonder at the natural world . . . By the time you reach the last page of this book, you’ll either want to climb a tree, hug a tree or both.”
—Rachel Zarrow, San Francisco Chronicle

“Written . . . not just to instruct, but to reorient and inspire . . . If a tree was once understood as a mostly static living object, [through The Arbornaut] we see it rippling with change.”
—Rebecca Giggs, The Atlantic

“A riveting memoir from ‘CanopyMeg,’ a pioneer in treetop science . . . Solid science combined with a pleasing writing style make for a winning book.”
—Kirkus (starred review)

“To call The Arbornaut a nature book . . . does not begin to capture the complexity and wonderment and introspection that [it] so beautifully present[s] . . . What [Lowman] tells us about what she calls the ‘eighth continent’ above our heads, and her own life as a single mother and a woman in a field long dominated by men, is both inspirational and fascinating.”
—Air Mail

“[The Arbornaut] vividly recounts [Lowman’s] adventures as a pioneering biologist, botanist, and conservationist . . . Lowman’s stories of global fieldwork model a truly inspiring feminist ethic of collaboration and inclusivity that will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of women to explore biology and conservation.”
—Erica Wetter, Bust

“The Arbornaut [is] about an extraordinary life, one spent among trees.”
—Sophie Cunningham, The Guardian

“[Lowman] excels at bringing the natural world to life in language. . . [Her] research is full of life, energy, intelligence and determination. It’s impossible to read about it without wanting to examine the natural world more closely . . . The Arbornaut is a book to reach for if you, like Lowman, love the natural world and want to live in it fully.”
—Kelly Blewett, BookPage (starred review)

“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 . . . A highly engaging read.”
—Library Journal (starred review)

"A passionate look at the 'unexplored wonderland' of trees . . . 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."
—Publishers Weekly

“A treasure for tree huggers . . . Delightful . . . It’s a book to savor, perfect for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of trees, forest, and the remarkable interconnectedness of nature.”
—Eric Liebetrau, Kirkus Reviews

“[Meg Lowman] tells her story with remarkable detail, highlighting her research methods and discoveries as well as the adversity she faced as a woman in the sciences and a single mother.”
—Carlyn Kranking, Audubon Magazine

“Amazing . . . An inspiring book.”
—WICN Public Radio

“An ideal book for city-bound nature lovers suffering withdrawal during lockdown . . . [Lowman] forged a remarkable career researching canopies all over the world and educating the public on the wonders of this ‘eighth continent’ in the tree tops.”
—Kerryn Goldsworthy and Fiona Capp, The Sydney Morning Herald

“Lowman details a career that embodies the word ‘trail-blazing’ . . . From start to finish, the word that best describes [The Arbornaut] is ‘spirited.’”
—Emily Donaldson, The Globe and Mail

“A fascinating journey.”
—Sarah Boon, Undark

"The Arbornaut captures the magic of that little-known world with its pioneering stories and clear, informative text. Readers everywhere will be fascinated and inspired to learn more about nature, and especially about how we need to conserve the world’s forests.”
—Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, and United Nations Messenger of Peace

"The Arbornaut is about a shy girl who loved to play outdoors and became a scientist who educated the world about the abundant life in the treetops. I loved it.”
—Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human, Animals in Translation, and Thinking in Pictures

“The Arbornaut is an eye-opening and enchanting book by one of our major scientist-explorers. Without Meg Lowman, we’d miss so many of the planet’s wonders that just happen to lie out of sight, in a realm we take for granted, ignore, or never knew about to begin with. Lowman is the perfect guide to that little-known, life-besotted world, and has fascinating stories to tell about her life in the top story.”
—Diane Ackerman, author of The Zookeeper’s Wife

“This is the most exciting and innovative way of introducing science that I have seen in many years. Everyone will want to read this book. Meg Lowman is starting a whole new movement exploring the treetops!”
—E. O. Wilson, author of Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life

From the Publisher

Meg Lowman is a trailblazer who rigs up her own tree-climbing gear to explore treetops and insects. She has also built aerial walkways through the canopies that are wheelchair accessible. Narrator Christina Delaine uses her beautiful deep voice and varied tones to channel Lowman’s joy in the natural world and frustrations with the academic glass ceiling. Delaine excels with the Lowman’s quirky stories; for example, of hiding scientific journals inside WOMAN’S WEEKLY magazines so her mother-in-law doesn’t think she’s neglecting her wifely duties. More difficult is keeping the energy flowing through the descriptions of myriad scientific studies, and Delaine’s slow pacing impedes comprehension. But those who listen will certainly look at trees and leaves more carefully after doing so. A.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2022 - AudioFile

Meg Lowman is a trailblazer who rigs up her own tree-climbing gear to explore treetops and insects. She has also built aerial walkways through the canopies that are wheelchair accessible. Narrator Christina Delaine uses her beautiful deep voice and varied tones to channel Lowman’s joy in the natural world and frustrations with the academic glass ceiling. Delaine excels with the Lowman’s quirky stories; for example, of hiding scientific journals inside WOMAN’S WEEKLY magazines so her mother-in-law doesn’t think she’s neglecting her wifely duties. More difficult is keeping the energy flowing through the descriptions of myriad scientific studies, and Delaine’s slow pacing impedes comprehension. But those who listen will certainly look at trees and leaves more carefully after doing so. A.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2022 - AudioFile