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Author: George Gibbs Publisher: ISBN: 9780947503086 Category : Languages : en Pages : 416
Book Description
Have you ever wondered why New Zealand's plants and animals are so different from those in other countries? Why kakapo is the only parrot in the world that cannot fly, or why the kiwi lives here and nowhere else? New Zealand is an extraordinary place, unique on earth, and the remarkable story of how and why life evolved here is the subject of Ghosts of Gondwana. The challenge of explaining New Zealand's natural origins is picked up in this fully revised edition of the popular award-winning book. It presents the latest scientific research in highly readable form, highlighting studies that reveal the deep historical background of our landscapes, fauna and flora - from ancient frogs and moa to delicate insects and the magnificent southern beech forests. It introduces the latest discoveries and resolves past issues like the 'Oligocene drowning' hypothesis. Exciting fossil discoveries are revealed and new scientific technologies and approaches to the discipline of historical biogeography are discussed - approaches that range from undersea geology to molecular clocks - and it inevitably draws attention to the debates and conflicts that distinguish different schools of opinion in this holistic branch of theoretical science. This revision incorporates the results of 10 years of intensive scientific research and includes four entirely new chapters to: focus on 'yesterday's maps' to draw attention to the ephemeral islands in our history that have possibly acted as stepping stones for terrestrial animals and plants but today have sunk into the sea; incorporate the author's own special interest in an ancient group of 'jaw-moths', unknown and unnoticed by most people but with a strong message that New Zealand is part of the world when it comes to explaining where our fauna have come from; present recent research findings on our huge flightless birds, the ratites; and include New Zealand's terrestrial molluscs into the story. Ghosts of Gondwana identifies New Zealand as one of the most challenging places on earth to explain, but it's readable, engaging style and revised illustrations render this often-controversial discipline of science into a format that is accessible to any reader with an interest in natural history and the unique environment of New Zealand.
Author: George Gibbs Publisher: ISBN: 9780947503086 Category : Languages : en Pages : 416
Book Description
Have you ever wondered why New Zealand's plants and animals are so different from those in other countries? Why kakapo is the only parrot in the world that cannot fly, or why the kiwi lives here and nowhere else? New Zealand is an extraordinary place, unique on earth, and the remarkable story of how and why life evolved here is the subject of Ghosts of Gondwana. The challenge of explaining New Zealand's natural origins is picked up in this fully revised edition of the popular award-winning book. It presents the latest scientific research in highly readable form, highlighting studies that reveal the deep historical background of our landscapes, fauna and flora - from ancient frogs and moa to delicate insects and the magnificent southern beech forests. It introduces the latest discoveries and resolves past issues like the 'Oligocene drowning' hypothesis. Exciting fossil discoveries are revealed and new scientific technologies and approaches to the discipline of historical biogeography are discussed - approaches that range from undersea geology to molecular clocks - and it inevitably draws attention to the debates and conflicts that distinguish different schools of opinion in this holistic branch of theoretical science. This revision incorporates the results of 10 years of intensive scientific research and includes four entirely new chapters to: focus on 'yesterday's maps' to draw attention to the ephemeral islands in our history that have possibly acted as stepping stones for terrestrial animals and plants but today have sunk into the sea; incorporate the author's own special interest in an ancient group of 'jaw-moths', unknown and unnoticed by most people but with a strong message that New Zealand is part of the world when it comes to explaining where our fauna have come from; present recent research findings on our huge flightless birds, the ratites; and include New Zealand's terrestrial molluscs into the story. Ghosts of Gondwana identifies New Zealand as one of the most challenging places on earth to explain, but it's readable, engaging style and revised illustrations render this often-controversial discipline of science into a format that is accessible to any reader with an interest in natural history and the unique environment of New Zealand.
Author: George W. Gibbs Publisher: ISBN: Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 240
Book Description
Have you ever wondered why New Zealands plants and animals are so different from those in other countries? Why the kakapo is the only parrot in the world that cannot fly, or why the kiwi lives there and nowhere else? New Zealand is an extraordinary place, unique on Earth, and the remarkable story of how and why life evolved there is the subject of Ghosts of Gondwana.
Author: Quinn Berentson Publisher: ISBN: 9781877517846 Category : Birds Languages : en Pages : 300
Book Description
The moa were the most unusual and unique family of birds that ever lived, a clan of feathered monsters that developed in isolation for many, many millions of years. They became extinct reasonably quickly after the arrival of the Maori, and were a distant memory by the time European explorers arrived. So the discovery and identification of their bones in the 1840s was a worldwide sensation, claimed by many to be the zoological find of the century. This book begins by recounting the story of discovery, which was characterised by an unbelievable amount of controversy and intrigue. Since then there has been an unbroken chain of new discoveries, culminating with intriguing revelations in recent years about the moa's biology, that have come to light through DNA testing and radio-dating. This is a fascinating and important book that richly recounts the life and death of our strangest bird. Packed with a fantastic range of illustrations, Moa fills an important gap in our natural history literature, a popular but serious book on this national icon.
Author: Sally Fraser Carson Publisher: ISBN: 9781775540106 Category : Seashore animals Languages : en Pages : 416
Book Description
Fully revised and updated, this is the ultimate guide to the New Zealand seashore. The essential guide to New Zealand's inter-tidal wilderness - for every bach, glovebox and home library. New Zealand has over 14,000 kilometres of coastline, the 10th longest length of coast in the world. From sheltered sandy beaches, rugged cliff-lined fiords, the geography of New Zealand's coastline is as diverse as it is spectacular. The Collins Field Guide to the New Zealand Seashoreis packed with information on endemic and introduced species, including anemones, sea stars, crabs, barnacles, paua, mussels, clams, oysters - this is New Zealand's most comprehensive and up to date guide to our unique and fascinating seashore.
Author: Bruce M. Beehler Publisher: Princeton University Press ISBN: 069118030X Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 376
Book Description
Combining a wealth of information, a descriptive and story-filled narrative, and more than 200 stunning color photographs, the book unlocks New Guinea's remarkable secrets like never before
Author: Michael Blencowe Publisher: Aurum Press ISBN: 0711276927 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 208
Book Description
Gone is a fascinating and timely illustrated narrative exploring the lively tales of eleven extraordinary extinct species from around the globe––sharing an enlightening story of extinction and conservation for today.
Author: Alwyn Dow Publisher: Trafford Publishing ISBN: 149079946X Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 210
Book Description
This is a story of murder and revenge set across continents and outer space but it is also about the choices that people make and the reasons that they make them. These are often ill defined and even contradictory. They might include revenge or greed, and sometimes there is also a kind of moral imperative that will not be resisted. But most of the time it is LOVE that powers the emotions for good or ill.
Author: George Gibbs
Author: George Gibbs
Author: 
Author: George W. Gibbs
Author: Natural History New Zealand, Limited
Author: Quinn Berentson
Author: Sally Fraser Carson
Author: Bruce M. Beehler
Author: Michael Blencowe
Author: Alwyn Dow
Author: Dianne Buerger