Description
Book SynopsisFundamentals of Biogeography presents an accessible, engaging and comprehensive introduction to biogeography, explaining the ecology, geography, history and conservation of animals and plants. Starting with an outline of how species arise, disperse, diversify and become extinct, the book examines: how environmental factors (climate, substrate, topography, and disturbance) influence animals and plants; investigates how populations grow, interact and survive; how communities form and change; and explores the connections between biogeography and conservation.
The second edition has been extensively revised and expanded throughout to cover new topics and revisit themes from the first edition in more depth. Illustrated throughout with informative diagrams and attractive photos and including guides to further reading, chapter summaries and an extensive glossary of key terms, Fundamentals of Biogeography clearly explains key concepts in the history, geography and ecology of life systems. In doing so, it tackles some of the most topical and controversial environmental and ethical concerns including species over-exploitation, the impacts of global warming, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss and ecosystem restoration.
Table of ContentsPart 1: Introducing Biogeography 1. What is Biogeography? 2. Biogeographical Processes I: Speciation, Diversification and Extinction 3. Biogeographical Processes II: Dispersal 4. Biogeographical Patterns: Distributions Part 2: Ecological Biogeography 5. Habitats, Environments and Niches 6. Climate and Life 7. Substrate and Life 8. Topography and Life 9. Disturbance 10. Populations 11. Interacting Populations 12. Communities 13. Community Change Part 3: Historical Biogeography 14. Dispersal and Diversification in the Distant Past 15. Vicariance in the Distant Past 16. Past Community Change Part 4: Conservation Biogeography 17. Conserving Species and Populations 18. Conserving Communities and Ecosystems
