Robert Whittaker is in the School of Geography at University of Oxford.
"This book balances individuality and theory well. A thorough and even-handed account of island theory is given, providing many new insights, and it also provides a mine of stimulating facts about island life. It is sure to emerge as the standard text for university teaching of island issues."--
Trends in Ecology & Evolution"Robert Whittaker's
Island Biogeography delivers a sweeping lesson in island ecology enhanced by the author's long-term involvement in the research on Krakatau."--
Nature"The last decade or more has witnessed renewed interest in the flora and fauna of oceanic islands, no doubt due in part to the growing awareness that the plant and animal life of these miniature worlds is extremely fragile. There is growing appreciation that species extinctions in island ecosystems result in the loss of some of the most remarkable products of the evolutionary process. Also, there seems to be a renewed appreciation for what Charles Darwin, Alfred Russell Wallace, and Ernst Mayr recognized, namely that islands are natural laboratories for studying evolution. The book by Whittaker is very timely because it fills the need for a general discussion of topics ranging from the formation of islands to the conservation of biodiversity on islands. ... The book would be an excellent text for any general course or seminar on island biology, and could serve as an introduction for those pursuing particular island topics in greater depth."--
Plant Systematics and Evolution