Lessons from plants

Humans have much to learn from plant behavior, argues Montgomery, professor of biochemistry and biology at Michigan State University, in her impassioned if cursory debut. She first explores "how plants sense and respond to the environment," explaining how they deal with fluctuations in light intensity (by shifting their leaf position) and nutrient concentration (in poor-quality soil, plants devote more of their energy to root development). Montgomery also accessibly describes how plants communicate with one another to learn about environmental threats arising from competitors and predators. But while she successfully makes the case that understanding plants provides an entry point for having a deeper connection with nature, she rarely moves beyond the superficial, as in her conclusions that "the humble bean seedling provides an excellent example of how to adjust and readjust to outside circumstances," or that from symbiotic fungi relationships "we can see the importance of establishing an ecosystem of support, collegiality, and community." Though this doesn't break new ground, the author's knowledge and enthusiasm will have readers looking at plants in a new light. (Apr.)