Islands as Parks explores the crucial role of island national parks in global conservation efforts, highlighting their unique ecosystems and the challenges they face. These isolated environments are biodiversity hotspots, often home to endemic species found nowhere else. Islands serve as living laboratories for studying evolution and the impacts of climate change, making their protection vital. The book examines strategies for managing these delicate ecosystems, considering the needs of both conservation and local communities.
The book delves into island biogeography, conservation biology, and environmental policy, offering insights into evolutionary processes and ecosystem services. Case studies of parks like the Galapagos and Komodo illustrate challenges such as invasive species and balancing tourism with preservation. Readers gain a deeper understanding of how isolation drives speciation and creates unique ecosystems.
Organized into three parts, the book first introduces island biogeography and the formation of island national parks. It then presents case studies, analyzing specific challenges. Finally, it focuses on best practices in island park management and international conservation strategies, culminating in a proposed global strategy for prioritizing and managing these invaluable natural assets.
