Rather than accepting that nature and creatures competing with each other for survival, why not observe other angles such as mutually beneficial interactions? Author Kristin Ohlson examines said interactions which are necessary to life such as my favourite, the mycorrhizae whose tiny filaments underneath our feet number in the hundreds of km per step. She also discusses bee and flower mutualism. As she says, the goal should be to use our observations from beneficial partnerships in nature to change our behaviours.

Though a nature fiend and a master gardener, I found there is so much to learn in this book from "salmon shadow" to infection genomics to saltiness of irrigation vs. microbes which makes plants more salt tolerant to animalcules to shortcut bees to evidence of animals seeking out others for company and pleasure. I had forgotten that ground cover can offer up to 15 degrees' cooler temperature. Science greats such as Leeuwenhoek, Koch and Pasteur are mentioned. And, as evidenced in my own energetic life as a child raised on a farm, when children are exposed to nature their immunity is more robust. What an interesting topic to mull over. Sparing vs sharing is mentioned as is myrmecophily. I love that larvae on Heliconia flowers work in tandem. The Sponge Park pilot project blew me away!

Nonfiction lovers intrigued by Science (including symbiotic relationships) ought to read this. It will challenge you and make you curious. I am not a believer in Darwinism and evolution but this book has plenty to warrant reading it. The photographs are awesome as well.

My sincere thank you to Patagonia Works and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating book which caused goosebumps at our wondrous Creation in a different way!