Galápagos: A Natural History - Softcover

Kricher, John C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 069112633X ISBN 13: 9780691126333

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2006

Synopsis

The Galápagos Islands are a paradise for birders, botanists, geologists, and snorkelers, with many islands still devoid of human habitation. Since they lie more than 600 miles west of South America and were never connected to the mainland, almost all plant and animal life arrived here by chance. As Charles Darwin discovered, the evolution of plants and animals is more visible here than anywhere else on earth.

John Kricher, a renowned ecologist and Galápagos ecotour guide, presents a detailed natural history of this spectacular archipelago. He looks at the amazing diversity of life found here, from iguanas to penguins, and explains the fascinating geology of these remote islands. Throughout his narrative, Kricher weaves the intriguing history of evolutionary biology that is intimately connected with the islands, and describes Darwin's adventures and observations while he was visiting in 1835.

Indeed, Kricher takes his chapter titles from comments scattered throughout Darwin's account of his expedition around the world, The Voyage of the Beagle. Kricher closes his book by assessing the conservation efforts to preserve the Galápagos--and the challenges these efforts have met. Of special interest is the book's richly detailed island-by-island guide. For both the ecotraveler and the nature enthusiast, Galápagos is essential reading.

• Essential reading for the nature enthusiast and ecotraveler alike


• Detailed island-by-island guide


• Vivid descriptions of plant and animal life


• Fascinating explanation of the islands' geology

About this title

From the Back Cover

"This is an excellent book for the many ecotourists visiting the Galápagos who want an intelligent and stimulating account of the islands and their animals and plants. It is written in a clear, accessible, interesting, and yet scholarly style."--Peter R. Grant, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, and author of Ecology and Evolution of Darwin's Finches

"This great book, written by a leading naturalist and Darwin scholar, captures the nature of the Galápagos--its landforms, its flora and fauna, and its place in history. Within the book's pages, one is taken on a tour that illuminates this enchanted archipelago. Having led twenty-five cruises to the Galápagos, I would suggest this as a delightful read on Darwin's isles."--Peter Alden, National Audubon Society

About the Author

John Kricher is Meneely Professor of Biology at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. He has led ecotours to many places around the world, including the Galápagos Islands, coastal New England, the Pacific Northwest, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, Trinidad, and Ecuador. He is the author of A Neotropical Companion[Princeton].

About this edition

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 069112633X
• ISBN 13: 9780691126333
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256