Extreme Environmental Change and Evolution - Hardcover

Hoffmann, Ary A.; Parsons, Peter A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521441072 ISBN 13: 9780521441070

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1997

Synopsis

Most natural populations experience extremely stressful conditions. This book discusses how such conditions can cause periods of intense selection that increase both phenotypic and genetic variation, and allow organisms with novel characteristics to be first generated and then established in the population. Using evidence from the fossil record, the authors argue that stressful conditions can have a major impact on the environments. They also suggest that as a consequence, periods of stress must be taken into consideration when long term conservation strategies are planned, particularly as stressful conditions emerge as a result of human activities. This broad overview will be of great interest to students and researchers in the field of evolutionary biology, genetics, ecology, paleontology and conservation biology.

About this title

Book Description

It is widely accepted that evolution takes place gradually in large populations. However, stressful conditions can lead to rapid evolutionary change by causing intense natural selection. In a broad overview of this topic, the authors argue that periods of stress must be taken into account when planning long tern conservation strategies, as these are becoming increasingly prevalent due to human activities. This book will be required reading for students and researchers in evolutionary biology, genetics, ecology and conservation biology.

Review

"Overall, I found Extreme Environmental Change and Evolution to be an intriguing, well-written, and extensively researched text. This book is a must-read for graduate students, conservation wardens, and evolutionary biologists, as well as those interested in gaining more insight into punctuated equilibrium." Natural Areas Journal

"This well researched, compact volume fills an important gap in evolutionary literature, namely the role of extreme environmnets, with major climatic changes as most significant." E.J. Kormondy, Choice

"[U]seful introduction to the gap between the ecology and evolution of stress tolerance fitness...Extreme Environmental Change and Evolution is an example of a good synthesis of natural history, laboratory and molecular evidence, making a strong case for the association of evolution with environmental stress in various forms. Its clear arguments and unmathematical nature would seem to make it a useful aid to an introduction to evolution, as well as strongly representing an interesting, challenging and somewhat neglected area of evolutionary research." Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists Newsletter

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521441072
• ISBN 13: 9780521441070
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272