Fundamentals 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, F undamentals 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 overexploitation, the impacts of global warming, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss and ecosystem restoration. Fundamentals of Biogeography presents an appealing introduction for students and all those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of key topics and debates within the fields of biogeography, ecology and the environment. Revealing how life has, and is, adapting to its biological and physical surroundings, Huggett stresses the role of ecological, historical and human factors in fashioning animals and plant distributions and explores how biogeography can inform conservation practice.