Vegetation of the Tropical Pacific Islands

Book excerpt: The islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean encompass a vast range of climate, geography, and geology. The flora of these islands is similarly diverse, and the study of their vegetation and landscapes is a challenge because of the great distances separating them. Dieter Mueller-Dombois and the late F. Raymond Fosberg are recognized as the leading authorities on the plant diversity and ecology of Pacific islands. This book is a synthesis of the vegetation and landscapes of the islands of the Pacific Ocean. It is organized by island group and includes information on geography, geology, and climate, as well as soil and vegetation types, land use, floristic patterns, phytogeographic relationships, and human influences on vegetation. The book features over 400 color photographs, plus dozens of maps and climate diagrams.