An Introduction to Applied Biogeography

Front Cover
Cambridge University Press, Feb 28, 1999 - Nature - 243 pages
Biogeography is about the geographical distribution, both past and present, of plants, animals and other organisms. In this undergraduate textbook, Spellerberg and Sawyer bring a modern approach to a developing subject, writing in a lively and sometimes provocative manner. Throughout the text, the authors emphasize the applications of biogeography to conservation management, economic production, environmental assessment, sustainable use of resources, landscape planning, and public health. They discuss applications of island biogeography in conservation, the concept of wildlife corridors, the analysis of biogeographical data, and the role of humans and their cultures in biogeography. The applied approach of this textbook, along with its numerous illustrative examples and figures, make it a unique introduction to the field for many geography, biology and environmental science students.
 

Contents

Biogeography the nature of the subject its history and its applications
1
12 An introduction to plants animals and other organisms
3
13 A history of biogeography
6
14 Ecology and biogeography
14
15 Applications of biogeography
15
16 Last frontiers for human exploration
20
17 Structure of the book
21
18 References
22
Biogeographical information collection retrieval and application
133
62 Collecting information direct from biota
135
63 Information retrieval
138
64 Limitations of existing sources of information
148
65 How real is the distribution?
149
66 How to present information about a species distribution
150
67 Some modern methods for mapping species distributions
152
68 Open access to information
155

Patterns of distribution and biogeographical classifications
24
22 A history of classification systems
25
23 Biogeographical classification at different spatial scales
36
24 Applied aspects
40
25 Gap analysis
44
References
47
Islands
49
32 Islands and island biogeography
50
33 Historically important studies
51
34 Island biology
59
patterns
64
the theories
68
37 Field studies of island biogeography
71
38 Conservation and restoration of island biota
73
References
74
Geological evolutionary and human impacts on biogeography
76
42 Clues to past events
77
43 Palaeoecology
81
44 Shifting continents
88
45 Land bridges and filters
89
46 Human impacts on biogeography
92
47 Ethnobotanical studies
93
48 Cultural impacts on biogeography
97
49 The influence of species distribution on society and culture
105
References
106
Ecological patterns and types of species distribution
108
52 Patterns in the distribution of species and other taxonomic groups
110
53 Distributions of species or other taxa that have changed
112
54 Patterns in distribution of species abundance in space and time
114
55 Patterns in distribution of other levels of biological organisation
115
57 Applications
125
References
132
69 How to maintain uptodate biogeographical data
156
Habitat fragmentation
157
72 Biogeography of fragmented habitats
159
73 Heathland islands or heathland fragments?
163
74 What is the optimal area for a woodland nature reserve for birds?
167
75 What was the question again?
168
76 Selecting areas for protection
170
77 Biogeographical analysis of habitat fragmentation
174
References
179
Biogeography of linear landscape features
181
82 Linear features as wildlife corridors
182
83 Linear features as barriers
186
85 Establishment of linear wildlife habitats in agricultural ecosystems
189
86 Ecotones
192
87 Wildlife as incidental to the management and construction of linear landscape features
196
88 Applications of the biogeography of wildlife habitats and wildlife corridors
200
References
205
Future developments
206
92 What is climate change and what are the implications?
207
94 Evidence for climate change
208
96 The effect of climate change on various levels of biological diversity
211
97 What is the role of biogeography?
215
98 Models in biogeography and their uses
221
99 GIS modelling of species distributions
224
910 Where will biogeography be in 2020?
225
911 Other perspectives
227
References
228
Glossary
230
Addresses of relevant organisations
238
Index
241
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