Best of
Ecology

1880

Island Life


Alfred Russel Wallace - 1880
    Wallace focused special attention on the diversity of tropical life forms and became acutely aware of the adaptive relationship between each species and its particular environment: an ongoing relationship that is necessary for survival and reproduction. After amassing empirical evidence from the Malay Archipelago, Wallace wrote Island Life (1881) in order to document the dynamic realtionship between organisms and their climatic habitats. Anticipating our present concern with both endangered species and vanishing environments, Wallace's ecological studies helped substantiate the fact of evolution. This book is an excellent example of long-term research and the far-reaching insights such scientific projects hold for understanding and appreciating the evolving life on Earth.

The Wild Garden


William Robinson - 1880
    A rich combination of original text, modern commentary, and lush photography makes this new edition essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how we have arrived at our present assumptions about gardening and where we still need to go.