Reviews
"This book balances individuality and theory well. A thorough and even-handed account of island theory is given, providing many new insights, and it also provides a mine of stimulating facts about island life. It is sure to emerge as the standard text for university teaching of island issues."--Trends in Ecology & Evolution "Robert Whittaker'sIsland Biogeographydelivers a sweeping lesson in island ecology enhanced by the author's long-term involvement in the research on Krakatau."--Nature "The last decade or more has witnessed renewed interest in the flora and fauna of oceanic islands, no doubt due in part to the growing awareness that the plant and animal life of these miniature worlds is extremely fragile. There is growing appreciation that species extinctions in island ecosystems result in the loss of some of the most remarkable products of the evolutionary process. Also, there seems to be a renewed appreciation for what Charles Darwin, Alfred Russell Wallace, and Ernst Mayr recognized, namely that islands are natural laboratories for studying evolution. The book by Whittaker is very timely because it fills the need for a general discussion of topics ranging from the formation of islands to the conservation of biodiversity on islands. ... The book would be an excellent text for any general course or seminar on island biology, and could serve as an introduction for those pursuing particular island topics in greater depth."--Plant Systematics and Evolution, "This book balances individuality and theory well. A thorough and even-handed account of island theory is given, providing many new insights, and it also provides a mine of stimulating facts about island life. It is sure to emerge as the standard text for university teaching of island issues."--Trends in Ecology & Evolution"Robert Whittaker's Island Biogeography delivers a sweeping lesson in island ecology enhanced by the author's long-term involvement in the research on Krakatau."--Nature"The last decade or more has witnessed renewed interest in the flora and fauna of oceanic islands, no doubt due in part to the growing awareness that the plant and animal life of these miniature worlds is extremely fragile. There is growing appreciation that species extinctions in island ecosystems result in the loss of some of the most remarkable products of the evolutionary process. Also, there seems to be a renewed appreciation for what Charles Darwin, Alfred Russell Wallace, and Ernst Mayr recognized, namely that islands are natural laboratories for studying evolution. The book by Whittaker is very timely because it fills the need for a general discussion of topics ranging from the formation of islands to the conservation of biodiversity on islands. ... The book would be an excellent text for any general course or seminar on island biology, and could serve as an introduction for those pursuing particular island topics in greater depth."--Plant Systematics and Evolution, ''...Island Biogeography covers the full frange of topics, from the geography and geology of islands, their speciation and evolution, population ecology and community assembly, to the application of isalnd theory to conservation...''Ilkaa Hanski, Nature vol.398, 1 April 1999., Whittaker's style is detailed, clear, logical and balanced. Both sides of debates are given. I am particularly impressed by the attention to early authors, and the way proper credit is given to the origins of ideas...A holistic book of this sort should be a welcome asset to any educationallibrary, and to all individuals with interest in the patchiness of the world. In its intent, and the execution of that intent, the book, like an island, stands apart./Clive Hambler University of Oxford/ the Holocene 9,4 1999., '...well laid-out and comprehensive in its coverage of issues in insularbiogeography...both enlightening and thought-provoking, as well as being veryeasy to read...I know of no other book that offers such a solid foundation ofinformation on island biogeography. I see the book as being an essentialresource for classroom instruction on island biogeography, in addition to beingan indispensable reference for others interested in the topic.'Rosemary G. Gillespie, Heredity 83, 1999, '...well laid-out and comprehensive in its coverage of issues in insular biogeography...both enlightening and thought-provoking, as well as being very easy to read...I know of no other book that offers such a solid foundation of information on island biogeography. I see the book as being anessential resource for classroom instruction on island biogeography, in addition to being an indispensable reference for others interested in the topic.'Rosemary G. Gillespie, Heredity 83, 1999, ''...Island Biogeography covers the full frange of topics, from thegeography and geology of islands, their speciation and evolution, populationecology and community assembly, to the application of isalnd theory toconservation...''Ilkaa Hanski, Nature vol.398, 1 April 1999., "This book balances individuality and theory well. A thorough and even-handed account of island theory is given, providing many new insights, and it also provides a mine of stimulating facts about island life. It is sure to emerge as the standard text for university teaching of island issues."-- Trends in Ecology & Evolution "Robert Whittaker's Island Biogeography delivers a sweeping lesson in island ecology enhanced by the author's long-term involvement in the research on Krakatau."-- Nature "The last decade or more has witnessed renewed interest in the flora and fauna of oceanic islands, no doubt due in part to the growing awareness that the plant and animal life of these miniature worlds is extremely fragile. There is growing appreciation that species extinctions in island ecosystems result in the loss of some of the most remarkable products of the evolutionary process. Also, there seems to be a renewed appreciation for what Charles Darwin, Alfred Russell Wallace, and Ernst Mayr recognized, namely that islands are natural laboratories for studying evolution. The book by Whittaker is very timely because it fills the need for a general discussion of topics ranging from the formation of islands to the conservation of biodiversity on islands. ... The book would be an excellent text for any general course or seminar on island biology, and could serve as an introduction for those pursuing particular island topics in greater depth."-- Plant Systematics and Evolution, "This book balances individuality and theory well. A thorough and even-handed account of island theory is given, providing many new insights, and it also provides a mine of stimulating facts about island life. It is sure to emerge as the standard text for university teaching of island issues."--Trends in Ecology & Evolution "Robert Whittaker's Island Biogeography delivers a sweeping lesson in island ecology enhanced by the author's long-term involvement in the research on Krakatau."--Nature "The last decade or more has witnessed renewed interest in the flora and fauna of oceanic islands, no doubt due in part to the growing awareness that the plant and animal life of these miniature worlds is extremely fragile. There is growing appreciation that species extinctions in island ecosystems result in the loss of some of the most remarkable products of the evolutionary process. Also, there seems to be a renewed appreciation for what Charles Darwin, Alfred Russell Wallace, and Ernst Mayr recognized, namely that islands are natural laboratories for studying evolution. The book by Whittaker is very timely because it fills the need for a general discussion of topics ranging from the formation of islands to the conservation of biodiversity on islands. ... The book would be an excellent text for any general course or seminar on island biology, and could serve as an introduction for those pursuing particular island topics in greater depth."--Plant Systematics and Evolution
