The Face of Nature

Immerse yourself in the environmental history of the Otago Peninsula with 'The Face of Nature'. Authored by Jonathan West and published by Otago University Press, this captivating paperback explores the intricate relationship between people and the stunning landscapes of this region. Spanning 388 pages and measuring 170 x 240 mm, this book is rich in detail and beautifully illustrated, making it a valuable addition to any nature lover's collection.

Delve into a narrative that traces the journey of the Otago Peninsula from its earliest human settlements, featuring the first Polynesian inhabitants, through to the transformative effects of British colonization in the 19th century. Discover the rich M?ori heritage tied to this remarkable landscape, which was a central point of cultural significance for generations.

As you turn the pages, you'll learn how agriculture reshaped the natural environment, converting lush woodlands into farmland to support a booming Dunedin economy. This insightful book does not shy away from addressing the serious ecological consequences of this transformation - the decline of native species, the depletion of vital inshore fisheries, and the emergence of invasive species. West's compelling narrative is punctuated with maps, paintings, and photographs that vividly depict the evolution of this unique ecosystem.

‘The Face of Nature’ is not only a local history but also a lens through which to view broader environmental changes that have impacted New Zealand's islands. This environmental history is essential for anyone interested in ecology, history, or the preservation of natural landscapes. Order your copy today and uncover the poignant story of the Otago Peninsula’s environmental heritage.

Author: Jonathan West Publisher: Otago University Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 170 x 240 mm
Pages: 388
Publication Date: 05-12-2017

Bounded by the wild waves of the Pacific on the east, and the more sheltered harbour on the west, the Otago Peninsula is a remarkable landscape. Today a habitat for a diverse array of wildlife including albatrosses, penguins and seals, the Peninsula has undergone dramatic changes since it first attracted human settlement. In The Face of Nature: An environmental history of the Otago Peninsula Jonathan West explores what people and place made of one another from the arrival of the first Polynesians until the end of the nineteenth century. The Peninsula has always been one of the places in Otago most important to M?ori. In 1844 they reluctantly agreed to split it with the British, but the land M?ori retained has remained at the core of their history in the region. The British settlers divided their part of the Peninsula into small farms whose owners transformed it from native forest into cow country that fed a booming Dunedin - at that point New Zealand’s leading commercial city. This rigorously researched, beautifully illustrated local history documents the rapid environmental change that ensued, which went far beyond the transformation from forest to farm, to the loss of birds, the exhaustion of inshore fisheries, eruptions of pests and weeds, enormous sand-blows, and huge and sometimes sudden landslides. The speed and scope of change driven by human occupation of the Peninsula were summed up in 1901 by George Malcolm Thomson, natural scientist and historian. In just 50 years, he said, ‘the whole face of Nature is altered’. Already, alongside pride in what they had made of the Peninsula, settlers felt remorse for the losses they had caused. The Face of Nature incorporates a rich array of maps, paintings and photographs to illustrate the making - and unmaking - of this unique landscape. In doing so it illustrates why the Otago Peninsula is an ideal location through which to understand the larger environmental history of these islands.