The Theory of Island Biogeography

Robert H. MacArthur; Robert H. MacArthur; Edward O. Wilson; Edward O. Wilson

Published by Princeton University Press 2001

The Theory of Island Biogeography

Robert H. MacArthur, Robert H. MacArthur, Edward O. Wilson and Edward O. Wilson

In the series Princeton Landmarks in Biology

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400881376

Overview
Contents

About this book

Biogeography was stuck in a "natural history phase" dominated by the collection of data, the young Princeton biologists Robert H. MacArthur and Edward O. Wilson argued in 1967. In this book, the authors developed a general theory to explain the facts of island biogeography. The theory builds on the first principles of population ecology and genetics to explain how distance and area combine to regulate the balance between immigration and extinction in island populations. The authors then test the theory against data. The Theory of Island Biogeography was never intended as the last word on the subject. Instead, MacArthur and Wilson sought to stimulate new forms of theoretical and empirical studies, which will lead in turn to a stronger general theory. Even a third of a century since its publication, the book continues to serve that purpose well. From popular books like David Quammen's Song of the Dodo to arguments in the professional literature, The Theory of Island Biogeography remains at the center of discussions about the geographic distribution of species. In a new preface, Edward O. Wilson reviews the origins and consequences of this classic book.

Author information

Robert H. MacArthur was Professor of Biology at Princeton University until his death in 1972. Edward O. Wilson is University Research Professor and Honorary Curator in Entomology at Harvard University. He is the author of many books, including Biodiversity, Biophilia, The Diversity of Life, and Naturalist.

Reviews

"MacArthur and Wilson's is arguably the most influential book in biogeography in the last hundred years. With its emphasis on on-going processes of colonization and extinction, it provided a new framework to explain patterns in species diversity and served as a counterpoint to hypotheses relying on chance and solitary historical events. Many of the antecedents for what we now call conservation biology, invasion biology, and landscape ecology had their origins here."—Ted Case, University of California, San Diego

Anyone interested in the history of modern ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology should be aware of the content and impact of this seminal work.---Sharon Kingsland, Journal of the History of Biology

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	vii
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xi
Symbols Used Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xiii
CHAPTER ONE. The Importance of Islands Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
CHAPTER TWO. Area and Number of Species Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	8
CHAPTER THREE. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	19
CHAPTER FOUR. The Strategy of Colonization Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	68
CHAPTER FIVE. Invasibility and the Variable Niche Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	94
CHAPTER SIX. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	123
CHAPTER SEVEN. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	145
CHAPTER EIGHT. Prospect Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	181
Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	185
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	193
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	201

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