Biotic Evolution and Environmental Change in Southeast Asia

by Gower, David J.; Johnson, Kenneth G.; Richardson, James E.; Rosen, Brian R.; Ruber, Lukas

• ISBN13: 9781107001305
• ISBN10: 1107001307
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-08-27
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

The flora and fauna of Southeast Asia are exceptionally diverse. The region includes several terrestrial biodiversity hotspots and is the principal global hotspot for marine diversity, but it also faces the most intense challenges of the current global biodiversity crisis. Providing reviews, syntheses and results of the latest research into Southeast Asian earth and organismal history, this book investigates the history, present and future of the fauna and flora of this bio- and geodiverse region. Leading authorities in the field explore key topics including palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, biogeography, population genetics and conservation biology, illustrating research approaches and themes with spatially, taxonomically and methodologically focused case studies. The volume also presents methodological advances in population genetics and historical biogeography. Exploring the fascinating environmental and biotic histories of Southeast Asia, this is an ideal resource for graduate students and researchers as well as environmental NGOs.

Table of Contents

List of contributors

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Wallace, Darwin and Southeast Asia: the real field site of evolution

Sundaland and Wallacea: geology, plate tectonics and palaeogeography

A review of the Cenozoic palaeoclimate history of Southeast Asia

Quaternary dynamics of Sundaland forests

The Malesian floristic interchange: plant migration patterns across Wallace's Line

Biogeography and distribution patterns of Southeast Asian palms

Historical biogeography inference in Malesia

Biodiversity hotspots, evolution and coral reef biogeography: a review

Tsunami impacts in the marine environment: review and results from studies in Thailand

Coalescent-based analysis of demography: applications to biogeography on Sulawesi

Aquatic biodiversity hotspots in Wallacea - the species flocks in the ancient lakes of Sulawesi, Indonesia

Molecular biogeography and phylogeography of the freshwater fauna of the Indo-Australian Archipelago

Patterns of biodiversity discovery through time: an historical analysis of amphibian species discoveries in the Southeast Asian mainland and adjacent island archipelagos

Wildlife trade as an impediment to conservation as exemplified by the trade in reptiles in Southeast Asia

The tropical peat swamps of Southeast Asia: human impacts on biodiversity, hydrology and carbon dynamics

Southeast Asian biodiversity crisis

Index

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