CONTENTS

DISCOVER THE PRESENT OF ATHABASCA + CHERNOBYL

THE LOST FOREST P. 33

Nuclear contamination has caused deformities within many species. It has also led to the formation of never before seen organisms.

SAVAGE

PREFACE P. 3

In 2550, a destroyed Earth causes creatures to have to adapt and use their instincts to thrive, while humans rely on technology.

A journalist catalogs the abundance of radioactive species found in the cracks and sinkholes of Chernobyl.

A polluted yellow river threatens animal population as a result of human-induced climate change.

BETWEEN THE TREES P. 63

The once lush Boreal forest is now a deforested site of muddy marshes that directly affects the living conditions of native organisms.

EPILOGUE P. 146

There are underlying messages for readers in the author’s reflection on Ecologies in Disguise.

TINY BUT MIGHTY P. 21

Invisible to the human eye, termites live in humid and wet environments where they feed off decaying substances.

WINGED WONDERS P. 77

The warbler constructs its nest with delicate intricacy, similar to a spider web, using a variety of toxic materials found in trees and bushes.

ICE FORMATIONS P. 125

During the winter, water bodies undergo mesmerizing crystallization showcasing nature’s ability to sculpt Earth’s surfaces.

TOXIC BEAUTY P. 43

Nature’s beautiful water bodies may appear as colorful masterpieces but they can also be highly toxic and dangerous.

THE EGGS OF THE ECOSYSTEM P. 87

Creature eggs have varying shapes, sizes, patterns, and colors which reveal the diversity of the animal kingdom.

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT P. 131

The camouflaging wide-eyed frog is a master in disguise, changing its body pigmentation based on its surroundings.

SCARY, BRAINLESS, AND BEAUTIFUL P. 57

Jellyfish use their ability to change color and blend with their surroundings as both a way of hiding from predators and a hunting strategy.

RAINFOREST WEAVERS P. 99

Monkeys craft intricate nests made of white filament, using leftover animal skin and local plant materials.

MARVELS OF THE MICROSCOPIC WORLD P. 137

The beauty of microscopic organisms vary from intricate shapes to complex body structures which can only be seen through the lens of a microscope.