Origin & Evolution of Tropical Rain Forests (Hardcover)

Although tropical rain forests form the world’s most species-rich ecosystems, their origin and history remain unclear, except on the very short timescale of the last 40 000 years or so. This book provides the first comprehensive review of the history of tropical rain forests on a long term geological timescale, commencing with the origin of the angiosperms over 100 million years ago, which today overwhelmingly dominate these forests. Tropical rain forest evolution is discussed in a global context within an up to date plate tectonic, palaeogeographical and palaeoclimatic framework, primarily by reference to the record of fossil pollen and spores. A particularly important aspect of this book is that in addition to published literature, it relies heavily on unpublished palynological data generated for petroleum companies during the course of hydrocarbon exploration programmes. Without access to such data the book could not have been written. The main text of the book reviews the evolution of tropical rain forests on a continent by continent basis, culminating with a global synthesis of their history in relation to the changing positions of the world’s tectonic plates and changing climates. This section also establishes the age of the great tropical rain forest blocks and identifies the world’s oldest tropical rain forests. The final chapter compares 20th Century tropical rain forest destruction with prehistoric forest clearance in temperate regions, and looks for analogues of the present phase of destruction within the geological record before considering long term implications of total rain forest destruction. The book will be of interest to all concerned with tropical rain forests, especially biologists, botanists, ecologists, and students of evolution. It will be valuable for postgraduates and advanced undergraduates, as well as stratigraphers, palaeobotanists, palynologists, and petroleum geologists.

General

Imprint:	John Wiley & Sons
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	February 2000
First published:	April 2000
Authors:	RJ Morley
Dimensions:	246 x 189 x 22mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	378
ISBN-13:	978-0-471-98326-2
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > General Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Life sciences: general issues > Ecological science, the Biosphere Books > Earth & environment > Geography > Physical geography > Forests, rainforests Books > History > History of specific subjects > General Promotions
LSN:	0-471-98326-8
Barcode:	9780471983262

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!