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OverviewIslands represent unique opportunities to examine human interaction with the natural environment. They capture the human imagination as remote, vulnerable and exotic, yet there is comparatively little understanding of their basic geology, geography, or the impact of island colonization by plants, animals and humans. This detailed study of island environments focuses on nine island groups, including Hawaii, New Zealand and the British Isles, exploring their differing geology, geography, climate and soils, as well as the varying effects of human actions. It illustrates the natural and anthropogenic disturbances common to island groups, all of which face an uncertain future clouded by extinctions of endemic flora and fauna, growing populations of invasive species, and burgeoning resident and tourist populations. Examining the natural and human history of each island group from early settlement onwards, the book provides a critique of the concept of sustainable growth and offers realistic guidelines for future island management. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Lawrence R. Walker (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) , Peter Bellingham (Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd, Lincoln)Publisher: Cambridge University Press Imprint: Cambridge University Press (Virtual Publishing) ISBN: 9780511973949ISBN 10: 0511973942 Publication Date: 05 June 2012 Audience: Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , Professional & Vocational , Tertiary & Higher Education Format: Undefined Publisher's Status: Active Availability: In stock  We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately. Table of ContentsPreface; 1. Introduction to island environments and cultures; 2. The physical setting; 3. Natural disturbances on islands; 4. The plants and animals of islands; 5. Human dispersal, colonization, and early environmental impacts; 6. Intensifying human impacts on islands; 7. Islands in the modern world: 1950–2000; 8. The future of island ecosystems: remoteness lost; Glossary; Index.ReviewsIsland Environments in a Changing World provides a handy summary of the natural history and environmental impacts of the development of each of the nine groups of islands discussed therein; it does contain useful, descriptive comparisons and an impressive list of facts about these islands. Sonia P. Juvik, BioScience Author InformationLawrence R. Walker is a professor of plant ecology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His research focuses on the mechanisms that drive plant succession, particularly primary succession on volcanoes, landslides, glacial moraines, floodplains, dunes, mine tailings and abandoned roads. Much of his work has been conducted on islands. Peter Bellingham is a research scientist and plant ecologist at Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand. He has worked extensively in island ecosystems on consequences of natural disturbances, such as hurricanes and typhoons, earthquakes, floods and landslides, and on the interactions between these natural disturbances and invasions by alien plants and animals. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |
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