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The Biology of Island Floras

Hardback

Main Details

Title The Biology of Island Floras
Authors and Contributors      Edited by David Bramwell
Edited by Juli Caujape-Castells
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:536
Dimensions(mm): Height 253,Width 180
Category/GenreBotany and plant sciences
ISBN/Barcode 9780521118088
ClassificationsDewey:578.752
Audience
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 36 Tables, black and white; 10 Plates, black and white; 32 Halftones, unspecified; 30 Line drawings, unspecified

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 21 July 2011
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Oceanic islands offer biologists unparalleled opportunities to study evolutionary processes and ecological phenomena. However, human activity threatens to alter or destroy many of these fragile ecosystems, with recent estimates suggesting that nearly half of the world's insular endemics are threatened with extinction. Bringing together researchers from around the world, this book illustrates how modern research methods and new concepts have challenged accepted theories and changed our understanding of island flora. Particular attention is given to the impact of molecular studies and the insights that they provide into topics such as colonisation, radiation, diversification and hybridisation. Examples are drawn from around the world, including the Hawaiian archipelago, Galapagos Islands, Madagascar and the Macronesian region. Conservation issues are also highlighted, with coverage of alien species and the role of ex situ conservation providing valuable information that will aid the formulation of management strategies and genetic rescue programmes.

Author Biography

David Bramwell is Director of the Jardin Botanico Canario 'Viera y Clavijo'- Unidad Asociada CSIC. His current research interests include the monitoring and mapping of wild populations of threatened species, the preparation of a Flora of the Macaronesia, mapping species decline worldwide, molecular studies of genetic diversity in small populations and the effects of climate change on island plants. Juli Caujape-Castells is Head of the Department of Molecular Biodiversity and DNA bank at the Jardin Botanico Canario 'Viera y Clavijo'- Unidad Asociada CSIC. His research uses molecular data to investigate problems related to the origins, taxonomic identification, microevolution and conservation of terrestrial vascular plants endemic to, or occurring in, Macaronesia.

Reviews

'It is without doubt 'a must' for the bookshelf of any researcher focusing on island life ... and provides a group of interesting chapters, either general or focused on specific island groups, that is a significant contribution to summarising our present knowledge of the biology of island floras ... and 'a must' for the bookshelf of any researcher focusing on island life.' Frontiers of Biogeography 'This book should be on the bookshelf of every biologist who teaches plant evolution, plant systematics, ecology and conservation as well as decision-makers and organizations who seek to preserve biology.' Harold W. Keller, Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 'This book provides an excellent overview of the current knowledge and research on island plants. It is a valuable guide and a good read for anyone interested in The biology of island floras worldwide.' Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society