A World in One Cubic Foot: Portraits of Biodiversity

by W. S. Di Piero, Edward O. Wilson (Foreword)

Twelve inches by twelve inches by twelve inches, the cubic foot is a relatively tiny unit of measure compared to the whole world. With every step, we disturb and move through cubic foot after cubic foot. But behold the cubic foot in nature--from coral reefs to cloud forests to tidal pools--even in that finite space you can see the multitude of creatures that make up a vibrant ecosystem.
For "A World in One Cubic Foot"," "esteemed nature photographer David Liittschwager took a bright green metal cube--measuring precisely one cubic foot--and set it in various ecosystems around the world, from Costa Rica to Central Park. Working with local scientists, he measured what moved through that small space in a period of twenty-four hours. He then photographed the cube's setting and the plant, animal, and insect life inside it--anything visible to the naked eye. The result is a stunning portrait of the amazing diversity that can be found in ecosystems around the globe. Many organisms captured in Liittschwager's photographs have rarely, if ever, been presented in their full splendor to the general reader, and the singular beauty of these images evocatively conveys the richness of life around us and the essential need for its conservation. The breathtaking images are accompanied by equally engaging essays that speak to both the landscapes and the worlds contained within them, from distinguished contributors such as Elizabeth Kolbert and Alan Huffman, in addition to an introduction by E. O. Wilson. After encountering this book, you will never look at the tiniest sliver of your own backyard or neighborhood park the same way; instead, you will be stunned by the unexpected variety of species found in an area so small.
"A World in One Cubic Foot" puts the world accessibly in our hands and allows us to behold the magic of an ecosystem in miniature. Liittschwager's awe-inspiring photographs take us to places both familiar and exotic and instill new awareness of the life that abounds all around.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Photography, Nature, Environment

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2012

Reviews

[Bill Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author illustrates the biodiversity in samples of various ecosystems by sampling one cubic foot f each and itemizing the organisms found in each sample. Species are typically sampled down to the insect level, with some exceptions such as diatoms. A table is provided with thumbnails of various species and a key providing the common and binomial names. Individual photos give close-ups of representative flora and fauna.

Chapters cover San Francisco Bay, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Temae Reef in Moorea, the deciduous forest of Central Park, the fresh waterway of Duck River Tennessee and the Fynbos of South Africa.

Each chapter includes a short introduction describing the basis for the diversity in each ecosystem. Nicely written, they bring out the "magic" of each.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might just be one of the best coffee table books I've ever read. Equal parts art and science. The author reveals intimate portraits of some of the world's least studied species in the most gorgeous way possible. All the while the photos emphasize the fragility and delicate balance of all the biodiversity which they represent. Highly recommend for anyone with a love of nature, the outdoors, and discovery.

[Sonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concept of this book makes the information readily available to all...even non-scientists.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first glance, this looks like a coffee-table book. Forget that! It is much more. For one, it's a stunning book with extraordinary photographs, but also kind of log of scientific recording. The one cubic foot of the title was the defining metal frame that was used in six distinct eco-systems to track all the animal and plant life found in or passing through. Not only are the full-page images of incredible color, detail and texture, but the accompanying background information on the project is a great companion to the visual impact. The photographs of various lifeforms aren't shown in their context but against white background with the level of detail taking over each page (or two) - while this distances the individual from its surroundings, the impact of this is powerful, bringing out the uniqueness and detail of the creature. The book would have hit a full five-star review if three things would have been included: 1) a desert location, 2) maps that put each of the six eco-systems in some sort of geographical context, and 3) photographs of that context that included the spot of the cubic foot. This is a great book to enjoy yourself or push into the hands of friends or guests.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what used to be called a coffee table book, and its beautiful photographs show the amazing diversity of life in five different locations around the world -- San Francisco Bay, the heights above Capetown, a Tennessee river, a nature sanctuary in Central Park and the canopy of the Costa Rican rainforest.

In each place, Liittschwager put a one cubic foot frame and tried to identify every visible species of life within it. By some process, he then managed to isolate these living creatures and photograph them magnified against a white background.

As impressive as the images are the essays about what was found. I particularly liked the one about a South African plant with sticky leaves that traps insects, but unlike other plants it doesn't dissolve them for nutrients. Instead it has a symbiotic relationship with two species of bugs that can walk on the sticky surface, and those bugs eat the other bugs and feed the plant with their droppings. To keep the bugs from getting out of control, the plant has also attracted a spider that eats some of them. All of this one one tiny species in one corner of the globe.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The photographs certainly deserve 5 stars, but I obviously got the wrong idea from the ad I saw for this book in the NYRB before it was published. I was expecting not only some good photos but also some considerable information about the ecological relationships of the creatures in these cubic feet of various environments. That's just not what the book is about. Great photos, little else.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author photographed all of the organisms above a certain size that happened through a 1' cube during a 24-hour period, while it was sitting in a variety of ecospheres. The results are beautiful and fascinating.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent about twenty minutes staring at the sea critter on the title page. Stunning photography that makes a great point about biodiversity in an engaging manner. The ocean environments were the most interesting to me.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, renewing my appreciation for the beauty of living things.

[Mills College Library]

577 L727 2012

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool pictures of life found in the space of one cubic foot in the period of 24 hours in 6 different habitats.

[James Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winner of the National Outdoor Book Award in the Design and Artistic Merit category for 2013

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible photography - touching insights into the diminishing biodiversity.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prrty picters!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing photographs!