Island Environments in a Changing World

Lawrence 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.

• Preface; 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.

'This is definitely a book that can reach the lay reader, decision-makers and administrative bodies, offering a clear view of the major problems that need to be amended without delay. The professional ecologist and the island biogeographer also have much to gain … The authors have accomplished a great achievement, explaining such a broad range of concepts, processes, patterns and problems in an easy-to-follow text … Their work will become standard suggested reading for students of islands in all respective fields.' Frontiers of Biogeography