Biogeography and Ecology in the Canary Islands

Abstract

The Canary Islands are located in the mid-Atlantic, west of southern Morocco. The islands are of volcanic origin and include arid zones, irrigated farmland and orchards, cloud forest, and pine forests. Sixteen chapters cover the geology, climatic characteristics, endemic flora, introduced elements in the flora, lichen flora and vegetation, fungal flora, birds, amphibians and reptiles, and the limnetic fauna of the Canary Islands. Other topics covered are the prehispanic population, the names of the islands and their verification, the laurisilva for Hierro, natural products isolated from plants, the influence of man on the vegetation of Hierro, the faunal study of the laurisilva, and conservation of fragile ecosystems in the Canary Islands.