Tropical Rain Forests: An Ecological and Biogeographical Comparison

The popular view of the tropical rainforest as a monolithic tangle of
rain-soaked trees, vines, birds, monkeys and big cats is a widespread
myth. Tropical Rain Forests: An Ecological and Biogeographical
Comparison explodes that myth by showing that rain forests in
different tropical regions are unique despite superficial similarities.

Written by two leading figures in the field, this essential new
volume:

• 
  
• Emphasizes the distinctive characteristics of rain forests in
  tropical Asia, tropical America, Africa,Madagascar,New Guinea,
  and Australia
  
• Begins with an introduction to the climate, biogeographic history,
  and environment of tropical rain forests
  
• Presents an extended cross-continental treatment of major
  animal and plant groups
  
• Outlines a research program involving cross-continental
  comparisons
  
• Considers the impact of people on tropical forests and
  discusses conservation strategies based upon the characteristics
  of particular regions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach
  
• Includes natural history examples, figures, and a stunning
  collection of color photographs

Richard Primack, a professor at Boston University, has conducted research on forest ecology and conservation in Malaysia, India and Central America. He is the author of two leading textbooks in conservation biology, which have been translated into sixteen languages. He is the President of the Association for Tropical Biology and Editor of the journal Biological Conservation.

Richard Corlett, an associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, has studied tropical forests in New Guinea, Southeast Asia, and southern China. His major current research interest is in how rainforest plants and animals survive in human-dominated landscapes. He has previously taught ecology at the University of Chiang Mai, in Thailand, and at the National University of Singapore, and is co-author of books on the ecology of Singapore and Hong Kong.