The Laurisilva: Canaries, Madeira and Azores. 2019. illus. XV, 410 p. gr8vo. In English.

Contents: The Macaronesian Islands/ History of the Laurisilva of Macaronesia/ Laurisilva around the world/ Macaronesian laurisilva/ The sea of clouds/ The forest flora/ The forest fauna/ Forest regeneration/ Forest dynamics/ Human impact and Conservation.

This book is the result of more than two decades of research into different aspects of the laurisilva by a team of people belonging to the universities of La Laguna. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Madeira, Azores and Pablo Olavide of Seville. To our own investigations we have added the most recent findings made by colleagues in all these places.

The result is an up-to-date, profusely illustrated account of our current understanding of this marvellous ecosystem. In spite of the importance that the people of the Macaronesian islands place on all aspects of the laurisilva (scientific, teaching. social and tourism) and leaving aside the scientific literature almost entirely published in journals not seen by the public at large, there are virtually no books that reveal the secrets of this magnificent forest to a wider audience of students, managers, non-specialists and nature enthusiasts. Therefore, our aim has been to bridge the yawning gap between what is known and what has traditionally been made popularly available about the most important ecosystem that the Atlantic islands possess. the laurisilva. The book was originally published in Spanish in 2017 and largely for a Macaronesian audience. This English translation aims to make the extensive work on laurisilva - much of which is found only in local Spanish or Portuguese language publications - available to an international audience and also to assist the many visitors to these islands who wish to deepen their understanding of this intriguing, unique forest.