From the introduction:
One of the planets of the System Confederacy is facing an ecological crisis. Top scientists throughout the system are working desparately to stop what could result in the collapse of a significant portion of the planet's biome. Mass extinctions could result, and the planet's populace is facing starvation without massive amounts of interplanetary aid or the inhabitants seeking refuge off-planet. The buvai, a space-faring race from the Vast that the Confederacy made contact with years ago was particularly advanced in the field of bioengineering. It is hoped that their scientific minds might find a way to resolve the crisis. A group of volunteers must travel to the buvai's distant homeworld with the Confederacy's plea for help, and hopefully return with aid.