Krakatau: The Destruction and Reassembly of an Island Ecosystem - Hardcover

Thornton, Ian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0674505689 ISBN 13: 9780674505681

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 1996

Synopsis

After the eruption, Krakatau provided a unique opportunity to study the colonization of a sterile area by plants and animals across a sea barrier and the gradual incorporation of the newcomers into the developing ecosystem. Krakatau is a comprehensive account of the reassembly of a tropical forest ecosystem over the past century. Ian Thornton tackles the many questions and controversies surrounding the eruption and its aftermath. He writes, "The natural healing process has followed the most extreme form of ecological destruction possible, total biological extirpation. Yet the islands surviving the 1883 eruption are covered in secondary forest, and over 200 species of plants, 70 species of vertebrates, and thousands of invertebrate species now inhabit these forests."

Krakatau will be essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand not just the rebirth of Krakatau but also the resilient nature of life everywhere.

About this title

About the Author

Ian Thornton was Emeritus Professor of Zoology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.

Reviews

On August 27, 1883, the volcanic Pacific island of Krakatau exploded with enormous force, killing upwards of 37,000 people, destroying two-thirds of its land mass and, most likely, extirpating all the island's flora and fauna. Such a large amount of ash was spewed into the atmosphere that global temperatures dropped significantly and beautiful sunsets became the norm for years. In a comprehensive treatise, zoology professor Thornton addresses all aspects of this remarkable event. Chapters outline the underlying geology, discuss whether all life on the island was killed during the explosion, summarize the patterns of recolonization and analyze the impact of recolonization according to the equilibrium theory of island biogeography. Although there is a good deal of interesting material, most of the book is too dry and technical to be fully accessible to a popular audience, while the general tone is too introductory to please professionals. Illustrations.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Thornton (zoology, La Trobe Univ., Australia) succeeds in doing exactly what the title of his book states?trace the destruction and rebirth of the island of Krakatau. His first four chapters set the geologic stage beginning several months prior to the August 27, 1883, eruption, which killed more than 37,000 people and exterminated all plant and animal life. The rest of his book chronicles the reestablishment of the ecosystem. The eruption and its aftermath are viewed as a natural experiment ideal for testing modern theories of ecosystems and biogeography. Drawing on the volumes of literature produced since the eruption, the author explores past scientific controversies and poses questions relating to Krakatau specifically and to disturbed ecosystems in general. Useful features include a glossary of geological and biological terms, biographical notes on prominent early pioneers, and a comprehensive bibliography. Thornton's writing is clear and precise, resulting in an interesting and insightful account of the island's evolution. Highly recommended for academic and larger public libraries.?Jeanne R. Davidson, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674505689
• ISBN 13: 9780674505681
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 346