Tod F. Stuessy Boeken

Focusing on the ecological and historical evolution of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, the book examines the transformation of Robinson Crusoe and Alejandro Selkirk Islands due to natural forces and human intervention. It highlights the effects of deforestation for construction and agriculture, as well as the introduction of non-native species, which have disrupted local ecosystems. Rich in historical documentation, it serves as a detailed case study on the interplay between human activity and environmental change in an oceanic island setting.

The greatest treasure of our Earth is its biodiversity, with life forms shaping the inviting environment we cherish. Systematics, the science that explores these organisms, focuses on plant systematics, which examines the green world covering much of our continents. Understanding plant biodiversity involves chronicling evolutionary origins, interpreting evolutionary patterns, and classifying diversity. This book delves into these three key aspects of the plant world. Five chapters overview the evolutionary mechanisms behind plant biodiversity, while six chapters explore modern phylogenetic reconstruction concepts and methods. Additionally, five chapters address classification issues, providing historical perspectives and comparisons of phenetic, cladistic, and evolutionary approaches. Three chapters present various data types, from morphological to molecular, commonly used in plant systematics research. Aimed at upper undergraduate and graduate levels, the book includes extensive literature citations for further study. CONTENTS: Preface / Acknowledgments / PART ONE: Biodiversity and Plant Systematics / PART TWO: Systematic Data / PART THREE: Evolutionary Origins of Plant Biodiversity / PART FOUR: Phylogenetic Interpretations of Plant Biodiversity / PART FIVE: Ordering of Plant Biodiversity / CONCLUSION: The Relationship and Importance of Plant Systematics to Biodiversity Studies / Literature Cited / Index to Taxa / Index to Su