THE OLYMPIC RAIN FOREST: An Ecological Web...

THE OLYMPIC RAIN FOREST: An Ecological Web by Ruth Kirk with Jerry Franklin (University of Washington Press: $17.50, illustrated). As the title suggests, this lavishly illustrated introduction to the flora and fauna of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula emphasize the connectedness of everything within the old-growth forests, from the microscopic fungi that form symbiotic relationships with the roots of the gigantic trees to the algae, yeasts and bacteria that inhabit the conifer needles. Using clear, non-technical terms, Kirk and Franklin examine how the needles on millions of trees trap vital moisture from the mists, and how fallen logs provide nurseries for seedlings. This handsome volume would make an excellent reference for anyone confused by the ongoing brouhaha over the effects of logging on the spotted owl: The authors explain how the controversial bird is significant not only in itself but as a gauge of conditions in its native forests.