Under The Microscope

FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA: The Secret Life of New Zealand's Rivers and Wetlands, by Nic Bishop; Reed Books, 1994; 120 pages; $44.95

Natural historians, ecologists and photographers, both amateur and professional, will be impressed by this attractive, interesting and informative book.

Nic Bishop is clearly not only a skilled photographer but also a patient one. Some of the superb photographs in this nature study of our rivers and wetlands took him days to acquire, as he describes in an interesting section of photographic notes at the end of the book. Close-ups of birds and insects in flight required the building of special equipment involving light beams triggering very high speed shutters and powerful flash guns, just to obtain that one perfect unrepeatable image.

This book also has well-written pieces introducing each section of photographs and beside each plate. He impresses as someone who knows and loves his subject. I found his description of the part played in the ecosystem by the journey of water from the mountains to the sea and some of the creatures and plants that depend on it, intelligent and informative. He reminds us that the environment sustains a web of interrelated communities all fed and shaped by "Earth's blood": the planet's water in circulation. Humans too are not outside, but part of this "natural" world, so the loss of habitats as a consequence of our activities may diminish us too. He puts it better:

"A plant, an animal, or an ecosystem is greater than the sum of all facts known about it. To contemplate the natural world fully is to realise that it is both tangible and intangible, factual and inexplicably mysterious. It inspires the artist as much as the scientist, feeding the imagination and curiosity of the human mind in ways that urban landscapes can never do. Within our desire to observe and seek meaning in the natural world lies much of the truth of what it means to be human. The corollary of this is that we cannot lose part of nature without also losing part of ourselves."

Nic Bishop further reminds us that kokakos and cute little penguins attract more supporters than the threatened mudfish. More species would be saved if habitat conservation was the priority, rather than some appealing individuals.

This book would be a fine addition to anyone's coffee table and, you never know, the odd person whose curiosity might cause them to pick it up could learn something.

Charles Etherington operates a forestry investment group and is interested in natural history.