A new book by science writer Rowan Hooper is throwing a fresh light on the natural world, challenging the long-held emphasis on competition in evolutionary theory with its focus on cooperation and collaboration. In 'Togetherness', Hooper argues that Charles Darwin's original formulation of natural selection was influenced by Victorian societal views and colonialism, leading to an overemphasis on nature as a 'survival of the fittest'.
Hooper expresses admiration for Darwin while criticising his work for largely overlooking cooperative interactions. The book aims to correct this imbalance with a deeply informed account of nature based on scientific discoveries made since Darwin's time, not by making evolution seem 'cuddlier', but by revealing the crucial roles of symbiotic relationships.
Lichens provide a compelling example: at first glance, they appear as plant-like organisms but are in fact a symbiotic partnership between fungi and algae. The algae photosynthesise, providing carbohydrates for the fungi, while the fungi offer shelter and help spread the light-gathering algae – allowing lichens to thrive in diverse environments.
Corals also challenge our understanding of competition: often mistaken for plants due to their appearance, they are intricate collaborations between animals (cnidarians) and algae living within them. The algae perform photosynthesis while the host animal supplies vital nutrients and carbon dioxide – a relationship Darwin documented but was unaware of in 1842.
Hooper asserts that these symbiotic relationships represent the natural state for most organisms, citing examples such as beetles cultivating fungal gardens and the importance of the human microbiome for health and well-being. This perspective suggests that life's success often stems from intricate networks of interdependence rather than isolated struggles for survival.
The book also highlights the crucial roles of symbiotic root fungi in terrestrial ecosystems, delivering essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to plants – a relationship that would be drastically different without these associations, with microbial mats dominating complex plant life instead.