The Life of Plants in a Changing Environment by Rishikesh Upadhyay

Editor: Rishikesh Upadhyay 

Title: The Life of Plants in a Changing Environment

Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Published: 2022

Pages: 270

Genre: Nonfiction / Environmental 

     Plants experience stress due to environmental changes, either in biotic or abiotic form, during their life cycle. Non-heritable modifications in morphological, physiological, or biochemical characteristics tend to reduce or decrease growth and productivity, and sometimes lead to death. This book presents an exhaustive overview of the specific effects and modifications that could occur in this regard and will serve to consolidate the ideas to promote standardization of plant adaptation to these changes in the environment. This book returns to the facts of both biotic and abiotic stress, detailing an essential aspect of plant life in the context of stress response. The text is a comprehensive, current reference that effectively addresses issues and concerns related to plant stress in natural environments.

     First I would like to say that I was given a free copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review. This is the second time I have come to the works of Mr. Upadhyay, the first time was with his book entitled The Secret of Plants in The Environment. It was a fascinating body of work from which I learned a great deal. This time around he has collated a great deal of detail about a much more pressing topic within the plant world. That of how humans are having a greatly adverse effect on the plant world at large.  For me, the natural world is a wonder to behold and something that should be protected at all costs. Sadly it would seem that for many this is not such a big issue. And for others, all they can do is scream about where is the proof, everything that is happening is just a natural thing and will sort itself out. Well within these pages I would hope that you would find proof that what is taking place is anything but natural. And for those that spend a bit of time with it, you can better grasp what we are doing to our natural world. 

     As is the case again with Upadhyay's work we are delving into the world of academia. So be prepared to have to use your brain as this is not a light read aimed at amass market. It is however in my opinion a topic that is in more need of discussion than ever before. Climate change is happening whether we like it or not and as we see from each of the chapters in this book we as a species are only exacerbating the situation. Upadhyay has clearly spent a great deal of time researching the topic and has endeavored to get the most up-to-date and accurate information on each of the pressing issues. For me as someone who has little to no background in molecular biology. There were parts that most definitely seemed very daunting and as I made my way through at times I needed to go off and look up certain pieces of information to give myself a better understanding of what he was trying to get across. But for those who want to gain a genuine understanding of what is taking place on our planet, this will definitely help it will just require a bit more effort. 

     For me, I think some of the more shocking elements talked about how microplastics have wormed their way into the plant world. It is gobsmacking to realize that through our carelessness we are starting to completely destroy one of the very things we require for continued existence. But it spreads much further than that. Seeing how not only the cast-off of our daily lives but also into the world of industry and for that matter, every other aspect of human existence leaches down and causes stunted growth and deformities in the plant world. This is definitely one of those books that give you the ammunition to fight within any argument about what is taking place. To often as I made my way through I felt like we were the frog in the slowly boiling pot of water. Just happy that we were getting some nice warm weather and living without any regard for what was causing all this. There are however at least some people out there trying to get us the relevant information. It is hard to say just how much of an impact this book will have out in the great wide world, But for me I know I feel a little happier that someone is out there trying.