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What Should a Clever Moose Eat?: Natural History, Ecology, and the North Woods
How long should a leaf live? When should blueberries ripen? And what should a clever moose eat? Questions like these may seem simple or downright strange—yet they form the backbone of natural history, a discipline that fostered some of our most important scientific theories, from natural selection to glaciation. Through careful, patient observations of the organisms that live in an area, their distributions, and how they interact with other species, we gain a more complete picture of the world around us, and our place in it.
In What Should a Clever Moose Eat? , John Pastor explores the natural history of the North Woods, an immense and complex forest that stretches from the western shore of Lake Superior to the far coast of Newfoundland. The North Woods is one of the most ecologically and geologically interesting places on the planet, with a host of natural history questions arising from each spruce or sugar maple. From the geological history of the region to the shapes of leaves and the relationship between aspens, caterpillars, and predators, Pastor delves into a captivating range of topics as diverse as the North Woods themselves. Through his meticulous observations of the natural world, scientists and nonscientists alike learn to ask natural history questions and form their own theories, gaining a greater understanding of and love for the North Woods—and other natural places precious to them.
In the tradition of Charles Darwin and Henry David Thoreau, John Pastor is a joyful observer of nature who makes sharp connections and moves deftly from observation to theory. Take a walk in John Pastor's North Woods—you'll come away with a new appreciation for details, for the game trails, beaver ponds, and patterns of growth around you, and won't look at the natural world in the same way again.
In What Should a Clever Moose Eat? , John Pastor explores the natural history of the North Woods, an immense and complex forest that stretches from the western shore of Lake Superior to the far coast of Newfoundland. The North Woods is one of the most ecologically and geologically interesting places on the planet, with a host of natural history questions arising from each spruce or sugar maple. From the geological history of the region to the shapes of leaves and the relationship between aspens, caterpillars, and predators, Pastor delves into a captivating range of topics as diverse as the North Woods themselves. Through his meticulous observations of the natural world, scientists and nonscientists alike learn to ask natural history questions and form their own theories, gaining a greater understanding of and love for the North Woods—and other natural places precious to them.
In the tradition of Charles Darwin and Henry David Thoreau, John Pastor is a joyful observer of nature who makes sharp connections and moves deftly from observation to theory. Take a walk in John Pastor's North Woods—you'll come away with a new appreciation for details, for the game trails, beaver ponds, and patterns of growth around you, and won't look at the natural world in the same way again.
336 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 27, 2017
Thirty years of experience and fond rambling around the North American woods have gone into John Pastor's book, which engages us by posing seemingly simple queries like the title one, then demonstrates that the answers are more complex. Research carried out by ecology students and others, compared with notes from naturalists and explorers centuries ago, are building a jigsaw puzzle picture into which we are still slotting pieces. Like, the beavers built dams which created ponds that led to meadows after the beavers were hunted. Why don't the trees reinvade the meadows? A student devised ingenious ways to learn about voles which frequented the meadows and woods, and how this played a part in where the trees could live. It's not always pretty.
Ecology begins with the lie of the land; we see the soils and shapes from post-glaciation, then move on to how the trees arrived - wind direction plays a part - what lives in the woods and their contribution to the world. Different birds live at different heights in the tall trees, specialising and not intruding on one another's niche habitats. Forest fires change everything; or do they? Some trees thrive after a fire, barely scorched, while others use the heat to open seeds or sprout seedlings in burned patches. Indeed, as conifer needles are so tough and rot so slowly, fire may be the main route by which nutrients are recycled. That moose is a great recycler too, browsing and dropping dung. But if he eats everything in sight the young trees and low branches will die and he'll have no food next time he comes this way. Better to nibble and move.
As an ecologist myself I thoroughly enjoyed the whole journey through the woods. If you want to read specifically about animals, you can skip to those chapters, or if you are interested in learning about experiments, studies and on-ground research, you can go first to the chapters after the geology. The level of reading best suits someone with nature knowledge but anyone from mid-teens could get a lot out of it and would be inspired to study natural sciences. Someone already working in this field will be fascinated and can add to their store of knowledge. As the author tells us, there is a lot more to learn, and the answers are always more complex than we expected.
Ecology begins with the lie of the land; we see the soils and shapes from post-glaciation, then move on to how the trees arrived - wind direction plays a part - what lives in the woods and their contribution to the world. Different birds live at different heights in the tall trees, specialising and not intruding on one another's niche habitats. Forest fires change everything; or do they? Some trees thrive after a fire, barely scorched, while others use the heat to open seeds or sprout seedlings in burned patches. Indeed, as conifer needles are so tough and rot so slowly, fire may be the main route by which nutrients are recycled. That moose is a great recycler too, browsing and dropping dung. But if he eats everything in sight the young trees and low branches will die and he'll have no food next time he comes this way. Better to nibble and move.
As an ecologist myself I thoroughly enjoyed the whole journey through the woods. If you want to read specifically about animals, you can skip to those chapters, or if you are interested in learning about experiments, studies and on-ground research, you can go first to the chapters after the geology. The level of reading best suits someone with nature knowledge but anyone from mid-teens could get a lot out of it and would be inspired to study natural sciences. Someone already working in this field will be fascinated and can add to their store of knowledge. As the author tells us, there is a lot more to learn, and the answers are always more complex than we expected.
May 11, 2018
Much too scientific for me. As much as the title interested me, I found the book too cerebral and ultimately boring. Not enough to interest me in returning each day to read until the end.
September 15, 2017
I thought when I saw the title of the book, “What Should a Clever Moose Eat?” that I would be treated to a light version of wildlife escapades in the North Woods. It turns out that the book is a scientific treatise of esoteric subjects such as ecosystems, shapes of leaves and trees, food webs, population cycles, foragers and their prey, and examination of fecal pellets. Yikes!
Dr. John Pastor is a biologist specializing in Forestry and Soil Science who has taught Mathematical Ecology, Ecosystems Ecology, Animal Behavior, and Biological Illustration. In other words, this guy is no putz and my expectations of laughing it up with tales of wildland frivolity were misplaced. This is a scientific exploration of organisms, their exploration, distribution, and interaction with other species. Heady stuff, indeed.
I read it from start to finish. Some of it was too deep to fully understand but, for the most part, it was interesting, informative, and gave me a greater understanding of all the things I love about the outdoors; the color of foliage, distribution of wetlands, the distinct difference between tree species, the animals that inhabit the forests, and the seasons that roll through every year.
I’m proud of my ability to hang in there and, as a result, feel much more informed and intelligent. Thank you, Dr. Pastor, for making it easy for me with your clear explanations and delightful way of keeping my attention. I couldn’t have done it without you.
October 30, 2017
This is a wonderful book. As a fan of Loren Eiseley, John McPhee, and Gerald Durrell, I found this a delightful and informative guide to a part of North America I have known and loved all my life. It's not just the moose --- Pastor guides us through the interdependence of so many parts of this complex and resilient ecosystem. I'm looking forward to his next book!
June 5, 2025
A gorgeous and passionate talk about the North Woods and how we've come to some of our understandings about it. There's plenty of research potential in the book, since questions are posed that we still don't have answers to. I high encourage budding scientists and people curious about nature to give this book a read.
March 11, 2021
Really good set of natural history essays on the ecology of the north woods.
December 25, 2023
Interesting look at the natural history of the northern woods I love. Answers to questions I never thought to ask!
April 16, 2022
I really liked this book! Perhaps it is because I was born and raised for the first 22 years of my life in the North Woods, and graduated from the university where Dr. Pastor now works. But more likely, it is because this is a great book!
There are over 20 essays, grouped into five related topics, all exploring some aspect of the Natural History, Ecology, and the North Woods (the book’s very descriptive subtitle). Note that it is NOT a field guide, although it would be a wonderful complement to one. Dr. Pastor typically asks a question, like, What Should a Clever Moose Eat?, and then not only attempts to answer them, but elaborates on the processes scientists have used to get those answers. Very importantly, he also offers questions that have not yet been answered, hopefully inspiring younger readers to take up the challenge.
In an attempt to be fair and balanced, I have a very few minor criticisms. There are over a dozen illustrations by the author. Many are simply pretty, and do not contribute much to the essay. I would have preferred photos, and maybe more technical illustrations. However, Dr. Pastor’s prose is exceptionally clear, and there was nothing could not be understood. The text is enriched with copious endnotes. Peculiarly, these endnotes are mostly abbreviated references, that then require flipping to the bibliography. It seemed redundant. Finally, there is brief glossary, but it is unnecessary as these terms are all clearly defined within the text. Again, these are very trivial issues, and again, this is a terrific book!
There are over 20 essays, grouped into five related topics, all exploring some aspect of the Natural History, Ecology, and the North Woods (the book’s very descriptive subtitle). Note that it is NOT a field guide, although it would be a wonderful complement to one. Dr. Pastor typically asks a question, like, What Should a Clever Moose Eat?, and then not only attempts to answer them, but elaborates on the processes scientists have used to get those answers. Very importantly, he also offers questions that have not yet been answered, hopefully inspiring younger readers to take up the challenge.
In an attempt to be fair and balanced, I have a very few minor criticisms. There are over a dozen illustrations by the author. Many are simply pretty, and do not contribute much to the essay. I would have preferred photos, and maybe more technical illustrations. However, Dr. Pastor’s prose is exceptionally clear, and there was nothing could not be understood. The text is enriched with copious endnotes. Peculiarly, these endnotes are mostly abbreviated references, that then require flipping to the bibliography. It seemed redundant. Finally, there is brief glossary, but it is unnecessary as these terms are all clearly defined within the text. Again, these are very trivial issues, and again, this is a terrific book!
June 11, 2016
I enjoy books about biology and ecobiology greatly. A buzz in the meadows, the name of the shrewd... all interesting tales that teach you a lot about nature and the world we live in.
This book is more informative than either, and more wast in scope. Perhaps too informative and too vast, for it reads more like an university testbook than a layperson book, which is a pity because it is full of interesting tidbits and information.
In short, great if you like the genre... but not so much if you prefer a lighter read.
This book is more informative than either, and more wast in scope. Perhaps too informative and too vast, for it reads more like an university testbook than a layperson book, which is a pity because it is full of interesting tidbits and information.
In short, great if you like the genre... but not so much if you prefer a lighter read.
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November 8, 2018Oh, this was far more technical than I'd thought it would be. This is an entire ecological look at the North Woods and it's whole history. I browsed the book, more than read it cover to cover. I am sure there is someone out there who will thrill to the story., it is very well researched and concise...but for myself, too much. Not saying it isn't fascinating- it is. And I did enjoy what I read, but , too much for me. I'll continue to browse it.
I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews