Reflections on the web of life

Damien Enright on the threats we pose to biodiversity.

LAST week, the small glade across the stream was still and silent, dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves of the beeches that overhang it, the only movement or sound that of bees visiting the flowers beneath them, or birds flitting to and fro.

This week, on a grey day, in a wild wind, those stately trees have become wild, demented things, branches lifting and falling like flamenco dancers’ dresses and the delicate new leaves trembling like feathers.