Island Colonization: The Origin and Development of Island Communities

Abstract

The theory of island biogeography revolutionized the study of island colonization and extinction. Since its inception in the 1960?s, it has allowed scientists and historians alike to understand reasons for patterns of species distributions on islands, as well as assisting conservation managers to model extinction risk of species populations on isolated islands. Volcanic islands represent a ?tabula rasa?, or clean slate for the study of island biogeography, as invariably, resultant volcanic activity decimates almost all observable life. As such, they form the ideal study unit for examining colonization of islands. The Krakatua eruption of 1883 is such an example, with the resultant blasts scouring the Krakatua islands of almost all life, thus allowing scientists to track the colonisation and successional stages that followed. Another example is Surtsey Island, which emerged from the sea 40 km south of Iceland in 1963. It represented a unique opportunity to examine colonization of a previously non-existent and thus uninhabited island. Given that there are many influences and avenues governing the origin and colonization of life on islands, Island Colonization: The Origin and Development of Island Communities, edited by Tim New, represents an important book compiling information on this topic.