The Quiet Extinction: Stories of North America’s Rare and Threatened Plants

The Quiet Extinction: Stories of North America’s Rare and Threatened Plants profiles plants native to the United States and Canada which are in danger of extinction. The causes vary, but humans are the main culprit, especially by driving climate change and loss of habitat.

While the topic is grim, author Kara Rogers has a knack for telling compelling stories, while still presenting good science. She wisely concentrates on a handful of species to drive her narrative, explaining that these are bellwethers of a much greater problem.

Some of these have special interest for Pacific Northwest readers. White bark pines (Pinus albicaulis) are a key species in the ecology of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. They are facing a double whammy from white pine blister rust and outbreaks of mountain pine beetles. Hikers at high altitudes may recognize the problem, “but the real tragedy is that few people are aware that the region’s iconic tree and beautiful plants are disappearing and that they are doing so rapidly.”

As with many of these plants, their interaction with animals, including pollinators and herbivores, and with naturally occurring phenomena such as fire, are important parts of the story. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the interconnections within North American ecosystems, as well as those fighting to reverse the plight of endangered plants.

Published in the July 2018 Leaflet for Scholars, Volume 5, Issue 7.