Panbiogeography: Tracking the History of Life

by Robin C. Craw, John R. Grehan, Michael J. Heads

Overview

Biogeography is a diverse subject, traditionally focusing on the distribution of plants and animals at different taxonomic levels, past and present. Modern biogeography also puts emphasis on the ecological character of the world vegetation types, and on the evolving relationship between humans and their environment. Panbiogeography describes a new synthesis of sciences of plant and animal distribution. The book emphasizes that the geographical patterns of animal and plant distribution contribute directly to the understanding and interpretation of evolutionary history. Geographic location is reintroduced as a critical element of both biogeography and evolutionary biology. The authors present chapters exploring the roles of geology, ecology, evolution in panbiogeographic theory, and introduce new methods, modes of classification, and ways of measuring biodiversity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195360691
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/15/1999
Series:	Oxford Biogeography Series , #11
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	4 MB

Table of Contents

1. What Is Panbiogeography?

Editorial Reviews

"This book discusses the entire concept of panbiogeography in detail, including methods of study. The work contains 7 chapters dealing with the definition of panbiogeography, life as a geological layer or panbiogeography and the earth sciences; the ecology, history, and panbiogeography of Africa; mapping the trees of life or panbiogeography, phylogenetic systematics, and evolutionary processes; tracking the trees of life or line, map, and matrix; the revival of biogeographical classification; and tracks, nodes, biodiversity, and conservation. A glossary, references, and an index are provided. The text is supplemented by maps, graphs, charts, tables, and diagrams."—Biological Abstracts/RRM

"Panbiogeography was introduced by Leon Croizat in the early 1950s. It is a research methodology based exclusively on contemporary distribution patterns, and gains its strength and insights by assembling huge numbers of these patterns. The authors define it as reintroducing and emphasizing the importance of the spatial or geographic dimension of life's diversity for understanding evolutionary patterns and processes. . . . This new book, by the leading protagonists of panbiogeography, provides a new framework and assessment, with improvements in rationalization. A large number of examples of patterns, best perceived or understood by the method, are introduced . . . This book should be read by biogeographers as a clear and lucid exposé of the panbiogeographic approach, and they should arrive at their own conclusions."—The Quarterly Review of Biology

"Craw, Grehan, and Heads, authors of this authoritative volume, describe panbiogeography as 'the challenge of making theoretical and practical diversity.' The challenges of panbiogeography are central to the concerns of systematists—reconstructing evolutionary history through an integrative approach that incorporates Earth history, ecology, and taxonomy. Ideas about time, space, and organic form are synthesized . . . The book includes copious citations and case studies ranging from species as far-flung as molluscs and lichens to continents. Distancing panbiogeography from Hennigan ideology, the authors contrast vicariance and dispersalist approaches, combining them in the terms 'mobilism' and 'immobilism' . . . The chapter on Africa . . . focuses on the Southern Hemisphere, where seminal panbiogeographical research continues. The chapter 'Trees of Life' is timely, given the hoopla at the recent International Botanical Congress. . . . Graduate students through professionals."—Choice

"Panbiogeography is a well-written book about another biogeographic technique, which also approaches the subject with a vicariance manifesto. The style is open and readable, and throughout the authors use a satisfyingly wide range of real examples to illustrate their points." — Edinburgh Journal of Botany

From the Publisher