Island Biogeography: Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation

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Island biogeography is the study of the distribution and dynamics of species in island environments. Due to their isolation from more widespread continental species, islands are ideal places for unique species to evolve, but they are also places of concentrated extinction. Not surprisingly, they are widely studied by ecologists, conservationists and evolutionary biologists alike. There is no other recent textbook devoted solely to island biogeography, and a synthesis of the many recent advances is now overdue. This second edition builds on the success and reputation of the first, documenting the recent advances in this exciting field and explaining how islands have been used as natural laboratories in developing and testing ecological and evolutionary theories. In addition, the book describes the main processes of island formation, development and eventual demise, and explains the relevance of island environmental history to island biogeography. The authors demonstrate the huge significance of islands as hotspots of biodiversity, and as places from which disproportionate numbers of species have been extinguished by human action in historical time. Many island species are today threatened with extinction, and this work examines both the chief threats to their persistence and some of the mitigation measures that can be put in play with conservation strategies tailored to islands.

Island Biogeography : Ecology, Evolution and Conservation

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Excellent, well-organised and highly-readable

Island Biogeography : Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
Robert J. Whittaker
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0198500203

Book Description

Islands, being discrete, internally quantifiable, numerous, and varied entities, provide us with natural laboratories for developing theories and models of how evolution works. Work on evolution on islands has a long-established biogeographical pedigree, stretching back to the work of Darwin and Wallace, and generating ideas, theories, and models that have played a central role in the development of mainstream ecology, evolutionary biology, and biogeography. Island Biogeography is a new textbook, aimed at advanced undergraduates and graduate students. The first comprehensive book to be written on the topic since 1981, it provides a much needed synthesis of recent developments across the discipline, linking current theoretical debates with applied island ecology. The book covers the following diverse themes: the nature and formation of island environments, and their special contribution to global biodiversity; micro- and macro- evolutionary change on islands, and the frameworks by which these changes may be understood; island ecological theories concerning species numbers, species assembly, and composition; a critical assessment of the contribution of island theories to conservation biology; and finally, an assessment of the human impact on island biodiversity, setting out the tremendous scale of anthropogenic extinctions, and assessing the current threats and remedies. Written by an author who has been researching and teaching island biogeography for many years, Island Biogeography is wide-ranging, authoritative, and accessible to students from across geography and the life sciences. The first truly modern textbook on a fascinating and important subject in evolution and ecology.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent, well-organised and highly-readable.......1999-08-08

This book is an excellent and much-needed textbook of Island Biogeography. The approach taken by Dr. Whittaker blends detail and overview, and the book is well-organised, informative and interesting. He says at the beginning of the book that he hopes to "provide access for students of differing backgrounds and disciplines to the full array of island biogeographical themes and issues." I think this book does just that.

The book starts by stressing the importance of islands as arenas for the study of the natural world: 'natural laboratories' in which the complexity of nature may be simplified, enabling the development and testing of theories of general importance. Dr. Whittaker then moves from the general and long-term (beginning with the physical and biological properties of islands themselves) to the more specific and shorter-term (including island evolution, species richness and endemism, and island theories). He finishes by applying the theories and insights gained from work on islands to present-day conservation issues.

There is sufficient detail to give the reader a fair understanding of the issues addressed, but never so much that the text gets dull or bogged. Throughout, the book is well-referenced, with appropriate and informative references, and provides plenty of encouragement for the reader to delve further into the literature. Considerable clarity is achieved, even when discussing complicated and contentious issues, and on many occasions Dr. Whittaker demonstrates his considerable ability to be insightful and pertinent. He maintains a fair and balanced outlook, even when he addresses opinions and authors that oppose his own work. There is also an air of pragmatism to his arguments that others would do well to emulate. This is borne out, for instance, in his treatment of the SLOSS (single large or several small nature reserves) debate, and in the way he manages to reconcile a number of dichotomies in the literature by noting that various apparently-conflicting theories actually represent different points along continua. As might be expected from the background of the author, Chapters 7 and 8, which deal with island ecological theory, are particularly impressive: erudite and authoritative, while still being interesting and highly readable. These chapters deal with areas in which Dr. Whittaker is well known for his professional contribution (in which he has published papers of considerable international repute).

Book Description

The Galápagos Islands are a paradise for birders, botanists, geologists, and snorkelers, with many islands still devoid of human habitation. As they lie more than 600 miles west of South America and were never connected to the mainland, almost all plant and animal life arrived here by chance. As Charles Darwin discovered, the evolution of plants and animals is more visible here than anywhere else on Earth. John Kricher, a renowned ecologist and Galápagos ecotour guide, presents a detailed natural history of this spectacular archipelago. He looks at the amazing diversity of life found here, from flamingos to penguins, and explains the fascinating geology of these remote islands. Throughout his narrative, Kricher weaves the intriguing history of evolutionary biology that is intimately connected with the islands, and describes Darwin's adventures and observations while he was visiting the islands in 1835. Indeed, Kricher takes his chapter titles from comments scattered throughout Darwin's account of his expedition around the world, The Voyage of the Beagle. Kricher closes his book by assessing the conservation efforts and challenges to preserve the Galápagos. Also included is an island-by-island guide explaining exactly what you will find on the various islands. For both the ecotraveler and the nature enthusiast, Galápagos is essential reading.

Customer Reviews:

Planning a trip to the Galapagos? Don't miss this book!.......2005-06-06

I was headed to the Galapagos Islands and bought this book on a whim - mostly because it had the Smithsonian series name and I wanted to learn more about the islands (Biology class was a long time ago). It was not only full of interesting information about the wildlife of the islands, but it was entertaining as well (not dry). I suppose it depends on your sense of humor, but here's an excerpt: "Around the Galapagos, some waved albatrosses have been observed attacking boobies and forcing them to dislodge the fish they have captured, which the albatrosses then claim as their own. Biologists call this behavior kleptoparasitism. Most other people call it robbery." There is also a section on turtle sex - the author jokes that he knows you were curious.
One neat thing about the book is its organization. Each chapter describes a particular group of animals (the birds, reptiles, etc.) so that you can turn to the section that interests you. The info is useful and interesting, and not overwhelming. There is a section at the end describing what you will find on each island which is extremely useful. There is a nice blending in of history - for example what exactly Darwin did and did not discover and his relationship with the animals on the island (the famous finches weren't even mentioned in Darwin's first writings on the origin of species).
This book gives you a wonderful overview of the islands - and in fact covers much of the same info that the guides give you. I liked this because I could be off taking pictures and enjoying the scenery...I already knew the stories the guides were telling.
This is a great read if you are planning a trip (or even if the Galapagos just interest you). Note: if you go to the islands, really check out the boat you are taking (some randomly change their schedules and only certain animals are on certain islands). Also, even if you don't normally get seasick - remember you will be on a small boat on the open ocean. There's a cool patch you can get (prescription only) - check with your doc. I'd also recommend at least an eight day cruise so you can get to more islands (it takes several hours to go from one island to the next). Other books you might check out: Wildlife of the Galapagos (Fitter, Hosking), Birds, Mammals & Reptiles of the Galapagos Islands (Swash, Still), and for those with no room in their luggage - the laminated pocket sheet of Galapagos Wildlife (Waterford Press).
An excellent book!

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Island Biogeography: Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
Robert J. Whittaker
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OLIOS0

Book Description

This introductory textbook introduces the basics of dating, the range of techniques available and the strengths and limitations of each of the principal methods.

Coverage includes:

the concept of time in Quaternary Science and related fields
the history of dating from lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy
the development and application of radiometric methods
different methods in dating: radiometric dating, incremental dating, relative dating and age equivalence

Presented in a clear and straightforward manner with the minimum of technical detail, this text is a great introduction for both students and practitioners in the Earth, Environmental and Archaeological Sciences.

Praise from the reviews:

"This book is a must for any Quaternary scientist." SOUTH AFRICAN GEOGRAPHICAL JOURNAL, September 2006

“…very well organized, clearly and straightforwardly written and provides a good overview on the wide field of Quaternary dating methods…” JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, January 2007

Download Description

This introductory textbook introduces the basics of dating, the range of techniques available and the strengths and limitations of each of the principal methods. Coverage includes: the concept of time in Quaternary Science and related fields the history of dating from lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy the development and application of radiometric methods different methods in dating: radiometric dating, incremental dating, relative dating and age equivalence Presented in a clear and straightforward manner with the minimum of technical detail, this text is a great introduction for both students and practitioners in the Earth, Environmental and Archaeological Sciences.

Dating Methods For Quaternary Deposits (Geotext)

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Dating Methods For Quaternary Deposits (Geotext)

Manufacturer: Geological Assn of Canada
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Dating Methods Applicable to Quaternary Geologic Studies in the Western United States

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Dating Methods Applicable to Quaternary Geologic Studies in the Western United States
Steven L. Gorman , and Steven L. Forman
Manufacturer: Utah Geological Survey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Field guide to relative dating methods applied to glacial deposits in the third and fourth recesses and along the eastern Sierra Nevada, California, with ... Pacific Cell, August 22-26, 1979

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Field guide to relative dating methods applied to glacial deposits in the third and fourth recesses and along the eastern Sierra Nevada, California, with ... Pacific Cell, August 22-26, 1979
R. M Burke
Manufacturer: Friends of the Pleistocene, Pacific Cell?]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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QUATERNARY DATING METHODS
WALKER
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N5EGSY

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Quaternary Dating Methods
WALKER
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N5BOB6

Quaternary Dating Methods (Developments in Palaeontology & Stratigraphy)

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Quaternary Dating Methods (Developments in Palaeontology & Stratigraphy)

Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book Description

Low-dimensional semiconductor structures, often referred to as nanocrystals or quantum dots, exhibit fascinating behavior and have a multitude of potential applications, especially in the field of communications. This book examines in detail the optical properties of these structures, gives full coverage of theoretical and experimental results, and discusses their technological applications. The author begins by setting out the basic physics of electron states in crystals (adopting a "cluster-to-crystal" approach), and goes on to discuss the growth of nanocrystals, absorption and emission of light by nanocrystals, optical nonlinearities, interface effects, and photonic crystals. He illustrates the physical principles with references to actual devices such as novel light-emitters and optical switches. The book covers a rapidly developing, interdisciplinary field. It will be of great interest to graduate students of photonics or microelectronics, and to researchers in electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, and materials science.

Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals: Synthesis and Electronic and Optical Properties (Optical Engineering)

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Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals: Synthesis and Electronic and Optical Properties (Optical Engineering)

Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 082474716X

Book Description

Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals addresses topics impacting the field including synthesis and assembly of nanocrystals, theory and spectroscopy of interband and intraband optical transitions, single-nanocrystal optical and tunneling spectroscopies, electrical transport in nanocrystal assemblies, and physical and engineering aspects of nanocrystal-based devices. Written by experts, this reference presents key advances in the field of semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots and metal nanoparticles over the past several years. It focuses specifically on nanocrystals generated through chemical techniques and merges investigative frontiers in physics, chemistry, and engineering.

Optical Properties: Semiconductor Quantum Structures - Optical Properties

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Optical Properties: Semiconductor Quantum Structures - Optical Properties
S.V. Gaponenko , H. Kalt , and U. Woggon
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3540443398

Book Description

Volume III/34 summarizes our current knowledge of semiconductor quantum structures. Subvolumes 34A and 34B cover growth structuring and doping, and electronic transport, respectively. Subvolume 34C deals with the optical properties. Subvolume 34C1 offers the theoretical and experimental basis as well as data on III-V, I-VII and IV-VI semiconductors. The present subvolume 34C2 covers the data on II-VI compounds, i.e. the compounds of Zn, Cd, and Hg with O, S, Se, and Te and their alloys. Special subsections are devoted to diluted or semimagnetic semiconductors. For every material the optical properties are listed first for the regime of linear optics, followed by data on the influence of internal or external fields like strain, electric or magnetic fields, and then by data on nonlinear optics. A third subvolume 34C3 will deal with the elemental semiconductors of the group IV.

Book Description

In a dazzlingly original work of nonfiction, the award-winning novelist Colson Whitehead re-creates the exuberance, the chaos, the promise, and the heartbreak of New York. Here is a literary love song that will entrance anyone who has lived in—or spent time—in the greatest of American cities.

A masterful evocation of the city that never sleeps, The Colossus of New York captures the city’s inner and outer landscapes in a series of vignettes, meditations, and personal memories. Colson Whitehead conveys with almost uncanny immediacy the feelings and thoughts of longtime residents and of newcomers who dream of making it their home; of those who have conquered its challenges; and of those who struggle against its cruelties.

Whitehead’s style is as multilayered and multifarious as New York itself: Switching from third person, to first person, to second person, he weaves individual voices into a jazzy musical composition that perfectly reflects the way we experience the city. There is a funny, knowing riff on what it feels like to arrive in New York for the first time; a lyrical meditation on how the city is transformed by an unexpected rain shower; and a wry look at the ferocious battle that is commuting. The plaintive notes of the lonely and dispossessed resound in one passage, while another captures those magical moments when the city seems to be talking directly to you, inviting you to become one with its rhythms.

The Colossus of New York is a remarkable portrait of life in the big city. Ambitious in scope, gemlike in its details, it is at once an unparalleled tribute to New York and the ideal introduction to one of the most exciting writers working today.

Customer Reviews:

Very good but not colossal.......2006-02-07

This little sort of tone poem captures some of the beauty and some of the meanness of New York life. I didn't come away from THE COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK as being negative toward the city, but even if Mr. Whitehead were, we New Yorkers need our cranks and curmudgeons. It makes us part of who we are, after all.

The free style works MOST of the time. When it doesn't, it really doesn't. (It is no coincidence that the most straight-forward section, the introduction, is the most superb!) THE COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK doesn't have the lyricism of E.B. White's THIS IS NEW YORK, but it doesn't pretend to want to be like it, anyway. Colson Whitehead's piece is more like Whitman's poetry, as he rambled along the old downtown streets and piers, and recorded his scenes and his feelings about them. Yes, this book could have been greater, but it doesn't take away from the power much of it has. So if you're looking for a history of or guidebook to New York City, this is not the book. But if you're looking for the evocative power of New York, written in a personal, lyrical style, you won't find many better than THE COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK.

ride the riffs, friend.......2005-12-02

Colson Whitehead's "The Colossus of New York" is a sort of prose poem to New York. But interestingly enough, the city's identity is almost incidental. New York could be any megalopolis. Whitehead simply uses it as a convenient dumping ground for heaping piles of metaphor, innuendo, and wry pseudo-Freudian slip-riffs. As Whitehead eventually says: "Talking about New York is a way of talking about the world." He even outdoes Iain Sinclair in this territory because, hey, "Colossus" is actually readable.

Whitehead sculpts sentences here with dazzling, fluid mastery. In sentence after sentence, he manages to surprise you, keeping you in gleeful suspense for that next line, and the next one... And yet it never feels overwrought or exhausting, probably because he pays equal attention to the rhythm of his prose (this is one of those books you can't help reading aloud).

Here's one of my many favorite passages, set in the subway system:

"This is the fabled journey through the underground, folks, and it's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better. On the opposite track it's a field of greener grass, you gotta beat trains off with a stick. From his secret booth the announcer scares and reassures alternatively. The postures on the platform sag or stiffen appropriately. With a dial controlling the amount of static. What are their rooms like, the men at the microphones. One day the fiscal importunities of the subway announcer's union will be exposed and that will be the end of the hot tubs and lobster, but until then they break out the bubbly. Look down the tunnel one more time and your behavior will describe a psychiatric disorder. It's infectious. They take turns looking down into darkness and the platform is a clock: the more people standing dumb, the more time has passed since the last train. The people fall from above into hourglass dunes. Collect like seconds."

I also recommend the audio book edition of this title, as Whitehead himself reads the thing in a dizzying performance. It's like a long shot of aggression with a beat-poetry rhythm and a helping of faux snottiness, all orchestrated to allow us to experience the idea of street-level New York in a manageable package.

Surprisingly negative.......2005-04-19

The author writes negative comments about every subject, even about subjects he likes. Everything sounds bad in "his New York", as he calls it. I was very disappointed in this book because I really like NY. I read about half the book and threw it in the trash.

Oh, this could have been so good..........2004-11-18

Colson Whitehead is a talented writer, as one can easily see in his first two novels. So when I read that he was writing nonfiction about New York, I was thrilled at the prospects. But I don't know what to make of this book.
The majority of the 13 parts have the same structure. Take a place. Write short sentences that explain what you would see at that place. Include actions and thoughts of those characters.
On paper, it sounds awful, and it some ways it is. It is the shortest 176 pages you will ever read, but this style gets highly repetitive. Rather than explaining why he chose these places or what they mean to him, Whitehead includes little about himself. There is quite simply zero insight into the soul of the city.
But the book does have its strong points. Whitehead's scenes are very evocative and I often found myself smiling and nodding at his dead-on descriptions of what I had seen in New York. He notices things about New York that you take for granted. At times, his skills shine through.
But it ultimately felt like reading a good writer's notes before he turns them in to an actual book. I wanted so much more from this book, and based on what is there (and also the wonderful first essay, which is different from all others in structure), I get the feeling it could be there. Everyone has their own version of New York and I'm still waiting to see how Whitehead really sees his hometown. Ultimately it reads like an astute but repetitive poem. Nonetheless, any book that makes me nostalgic about my trips to Port Authority has done one incredible job.

Free Association At Its Worst.......2004-07-06

People that laud this type of 'work' are the type that can read something significant into anything because they don't want to admit that they don't get it. He tries to paint a picture of Gotham using mawkish free association which comes across as pseudo-intellect at its worst. I was really looking forward to this book because it sounded like a very cool exercise and interesting look into the greatest city on the planet. Hardbound pretentious excrement.

Colossus of New York: A City In 13 Parts

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Colossus of New York: A City In 13 Parts
Colson Whitehead
Manufacturer: DOUBLEDAY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OKIF4E

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