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Zusatztext "A valuable reference." Informationen zum Autor Susan Harrison is Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at University of California! Davis. Klappentext "In this splendid book! Susan Harrison not only describes the remarkable diversity of unique plants and animals found throughout California! but she also explores how that uniqueness has developed over millions of years. Packed with novel insights gained from decades of extensive field research! this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding and conserving the biodiversity of California. You will come away with a fresh perspective on why these ecosystems are so special." -John N. Thompson! Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology! University of California! Santa Cruz "Although California is well known as a global hotspot of endemism and biodiversity! surprisingly there has been no single comprehensive overview of its plants and animals-until now. Susan Harrison has filled this gap with a welcome synthesis that nicely addresses the nexus between endemism! biological diversity! and the conservation challenges inherent in preserving this unique flora and fauna in an era of global environmental change." -Phil Rundel! Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology! UCLA Zusammenfassung California is globally renowned for its biological diversity, including its wealth of unique, or endemic, species. Many reasons have been cited to explain this abundance: the complex geology and topography of its landscape, the special powers of its Mediterranean-type climate, and the historic and modern barriers to the wider dispersal of its flora and fauna. Plant and Animal Endemism in California compiles and synthesizes a wealth of data on this singular subject, providing new and updated lists of native species, comparing patterns and causes of both plant and animal endemism, and interrogating the classic explanations proposed for the state’s special significance in light of new molecular evidence. Susan Harrison also offers a summary of the innovative tools that have been developed and used in California to conserve and protect this stunning and imperiled diversity. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface and Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Biotic Uniqueness: An Overview Problems in Defining Endemism Large-Scale Patterns in Species Richness and Endemism Origins of Endemic Species Traits of Endemic Species 2. A Brief History of California Geologic History Climatic History Floristic History 3. Plant Endemism in California: Patterns and Causes Estimating Plant Endemism Geography of Diversity and Endemism Edaphic Endemism New Evidence on the Evolution of Neoendemics New Evidence on Paleoendemism Californian Plant Endemism in a World Context 4. Animal Endemism in California Cross-Taxonomic Comparisons Mammals Birds Reptiles Fish Amphibians Invertebrates 5. Conservation Challenges in California's Endemic-Rich Landscape Endangered Species Laws Natural Community Conservation Planning Conservation Easements Conservation Banking Advance Mitigation Biodiversity Information Systematic Conservation Planning Marine and Aquatic Conservation Climate Change Science and Policy 6. Synthesis and Conclusions Appendix: Preliminary List of Plant Species Endemic to the California Floristic Province Literature Cited Index ...
