Island: Fact and Theory in Nature [Hardcover]

James Lazell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0520243528 | ISBN-13: 978-0520243521 | Edition: 1

Guana, in the British Virgin Islands, is home to a remarkably diverse assortment of animal and plant life: mangroves, flamingos, iguanas, frogs, birds, snakes, spiders, tortoises, grasshoppers, and bats, to name but a few. What is so surprising about Guana's astonishing panoply is that, according to prevailing ecological theories, the island's diversity should be much lower than it actually is. This provocative book describes Guana's flora and fauna against the backdrop of islands worldwide and their ecology, evolution, and conservation. Much more than a book about one island, it raises important challenges to prevailing dogma of island biogeography and theoretical ecology. James (Skip) Lazell demonstrates that meaningful conservation and avoiding tragic loss of biodiversity demand we know far more about biological interactions, physiographic and geological structure, meteorology, and other factors. He presents compelling evidence that high levels of natural biodiversity underpin ecosystem resilience and stability. Lazell's engaging narrative, containing many entertaining asides and personal reflections, widens into an evocative commentary about the nature of life on earth.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"The most refreshing and entertaining expose on island biogeography I've read in ages."--Gregory K. Pregill, University of San Diego

About the Author

James Lazell, President of The Conservation Agency, is author of Wildlife of the Florida Keys: A Natural History (1989) and This Broken Archipelago: Cape Cod and the Islands, Amphibians and Reptiles (1976). He is coauthor, with John Alexander, of Ribbon of Sand: The Amazing Convergence of the Ocean and the Outer Banks of North Carolina (second edition, 2000).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 402 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520243528
• ISBN-13: 978-0520243521
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,194,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enlightening read!, March 23, 2007

By 

Celeste Troon "Amarula" (Chicago, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Island: Fact and Theory in Nature (Hardcover)

This is an awesome book. I am visiting Guana Island and wanted to find some info about the flora and fauna of the Island before my visit. I got way more than I expected! I would have to quibble with the suggestion that this book is written for any lay person who just had a passing interest in the Island. You really do need to have at least an active interest in science and biology to really get into the book, it's not a particularly light read! If you are looking for a guide to take to the island, this is not the book either as the photographs are pretty limited. Having said all that, this is a great book which covers many thought provoking subjects and even if you have no specific interest in Guana Island it is still well worth reading.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book by Lazell!, September 26, 2006

By 

Scott D. Smyers (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Island: Fact and Theory in Nature (Hardcover)

This book is both informative and entertaining. This is a great example of how intensive study of a small geographic area can be incredibly useful in understanding how "islotated" ecosystems function in a larger ecosystem.