The Natural History of Madagascar

Steven M. Goodman, Jonathan P. Benstead (Herausgeber)

Buch | Softcover

1728 Seiten

2007 | New edition
University of Chicago Press (Verlag)
978-0-226-30307-9 (ISBN)

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Separated from the mainland of Africa for 160 million years, Madagascar has evolved an incredible wealth of biodiversity, with thousands of species that can be found nowhere else on earth. For instance, of its estimated 12,000 plant species, nearly 10,000 are unique to Madagascar. Malagasy animals are just as spectacular, from its almost forty currently recognized species of lemursa primate group found only hereto the numerous species of tiny dwarf chameleons. With astounding frequency scientists discover a previously unknown species in Madagascarand at almost the same rate another natural area of habitat is degraded or destroyed, a combination that recently led conservation organizations to name Madagascar one of the most important and threatened conservation priorities on the planet. "The Natural History of Madagascar" provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis available of this island nation's priceless biological treasures. Contributions by nearly three hundred world-renowned experts cover the history of scientific exploration in Madagascar, its geology and soils, climate, forest ecology, human ecology, marine and coastal ecosystems, plants, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Detailed discussions of conservation efforts in Madagascar highlight several successful park reserve programs that could serve as models for other areas. Beautifully illustrated throughout, the book includes over one hundred color illustrations, with fifty color photos by nature photographer Harald Schutz, as well as more than three hundred black-and-white photographs and line drawings. "The Natural History of Madagascar" will be the invaluable reference for anyone interested in the Malagasy environment, from biologists and conservationists to policymakers and ecotourists."

Steven M. Goodman is a field biologist at the Field Museum of Natural History and a coordinator of the ecology training program at the WWF-Madagascar. He is coeditor of Natural Changes and Human Impact in Madagascar. Jonathan P. Benstead is a postdoctoral scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.

Erscheint lt. Verlag	9.3.2007
Illustrationen	Harald Schutz
Zusatzinfo	144 colour plates, 59 halftones, 163 line drawings
Sprache	englisch
Maße	217 x 279 mm
Gewicht	3762 g
Themenwelt	Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Natur / Technik ► Natur / Ökologie
Themenwelt	Reisen ► Reiseführer ► Afrika
ISBN-10	0-226-30307-1 / 0226303071
ISBN-13	978-0-226-30307-9 / 9780226303079
Zustand	Neuware