The Theory of Island Biogeography

About this book

Biogeography was stuck in a "natural history phase" dominated by the collection of data, the young Princeton biologists Robert H. MacArthur and Edward O. Wilson argued in 1967. In The Theory of Island Biogeography, the authors developed a general theory to explain the facts of island biogeography. The theory builds on the first principles of population ecology and genetics to explain how distance and area combine to regulate the balance between immigration and extinction in island populations. The authors then test the theory against data. The Theory of Island Biogeography was never intended as the last word on the subject. Instead, MacArthur and Wilson sought to stimulate new forms of theoretical and empirical studies, which will lead in turn to a stronger general theory. Even a third of a century since its publication, the book continues to serve that purpose well. From popular books like David Quammen's The Song of the Dodo to arguments in the professional literature, The Theory of Island Biogeography remains at the center of discussions about the geographic distribution of species. In a new preface, Edward O. Wilson reviews the origins and consequences of this classic book.

Contents

Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii
Preface xi
Symbols Used xiii

1. The Importance of Islands 3
2. Area and Number of Speicies 8
3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19
4. The Strategy of Colonization 68
5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94
6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123
7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145
8. Prospect 181

Glossary 185
References 193
Index 201

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Biography

Robert H. MacArthur was a Professor of Biology at Princeton University until his death in 1972.

Edward O. Wilson was University Research Professor and Honorary Curator in Entomology at Harvard University. He was the author of many books, including Biodiversity, Biophilia, The Diversity of Life, and Naturalist.