{"product_id":"tropical-island-recovery-isbn-9781444333091","title":"Tropical Island Recovery","description":"Tropical island species and ecosystems are threatened worldwide as a result of increasing human pressure.  Yet some of these islands also lend themselves to restoration, as they are physically defined units that can be given focused attention, as long as resources are available and clear conservation targets are set.  Cousine Island, Seychelles, is a tropical island that has received such intensive restoration.  From a highly degraded island in the 1960s, the island has now been restored to what is believed to be a semblance of the natural state.  All alien vertebrates have been eradicated, as have 25 invasive alien plants.  Cultivated plants are now confined to one small section of the island.  Poaching of nesting marine turtles has been stopped, leading to an increase in turtle breeding numbers.  The shearwater population has increased in size with poaching activities under control.  The Sooty tern has also returned to the island to breed.  The coastal plateau has been restored with over 2500 indigenous shrubs and trees, which have now grown into a forest carpet. There are strict quarantine procedures on the island, keeping it free of rats, mice, various alien invertebrates and potentially invasive alien plants.  Three threatened Seychelles endemic land birds (Seychelles warbler, Seychelles magpie robin and Seychelles white-eye) have been introduced and are thriving, with these introductions contributing to both the magpie robin and the white-eye being downgraded from CR to EN (the warbler remains at VU).  Ecotourism, and nature conservation for the local inhabitants, have been introduced in a way that does not reduce the improved compositional, structural and functional biodiversity of the island.  The result of the restoration effort appears to be sustainable in the long term, although challenges still remain, especially with regards to adequate clean water and a non-polluting power supply on the island.  Cousine is thus paving the way in the art and science of tropical island restoration as a legacy for future generations.  \u003cp\u003eThere is no other book available on this case study.  The need for the book arises from the fact that here is a positive note for conservation in these times of so much negative news on the state of our environment.  More importantly, the book shows how such restoration should be done, and is therefore a model for many other islands around the world.  The book has many illustrations so as to give the book wide appeal and literally to show what can done in terms of restoration.  All this is based on much scientific detail, including many new data.  The aim is, by way of example, to demonstrate how practical restoration, based on sound scientific research, can be carried out for the betterment of ecological integrity and ecosystem health.\u003c\/p\u003e  Foreword by Sir James Mancham  \u003cp\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCousine Island in a world context\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCousine as a Seychelles island\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCousine Island’s conservation significance in a nutshell\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHow humans nearly pushed Cousine past the tipping point\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe changing seasons\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe lie of the land\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCousine's rocks, soils and sand\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe moody sea\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCousine's green carpet\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCousine's woody cloak\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCousine's vegetation reprieve\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSponges, corals and the great bleaching event\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLife in the shallow sea: from shells to urchins\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween sea and land: a variety of crabs\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEcological webmasters: terrestrial invertebrates\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA rich tapestry of fish life\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCousine as a haven for turtles\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOf tortoises, lizards and snakes\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOvercoming the extinction of experience: sea bird haven\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAquatic and shore birds\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA truly successful story: endemic land birds\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe welcome and the unwelcome: vagrant and alien birds\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVisiting mammals to Cousine\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCousine Island in the world today, and its future\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScientific summary\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eList of species recorded on and around Cousine\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossary\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBibliography\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhotographic and artwork credits\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout the authors\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex\u003c\/p\u003e  \"This is an interesting, well-done, well-illustrated (numerous excellent color photographs) book should interest a wide audience including ecologists, conservationists, ecotourists, and readers interested in the natural history of tropical islands. \" \u003ci\u003e(CHOICE\u003c\/i\u003e, January 2011)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cb\u003eMichael Samways\u003c\/b\u003e is Professor and Chair of the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.  \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePeter Hitchins\u003c\/b\u003e was Cousine Island Manager 1995-2001, and Conservation Advisor to the Island 2002-2004.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrty Bourquin\u003c\/b\u003e was Conservation Consultant to Cousine Island during instigation of the Island’s Management Plan.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJock Henwood\u003c\/b\u003e has been Cousine Island Manager, 2002-present.\u003c\/p\u003e  Tropical islands around the world are losing much of their biodiversity. Cousine Island, Seychelles, is a remarkable example of recovery which runs countercurrent to this trend of tropical island impoverishment. From a highly degraded island in the 1960s, Cousine Island is now a revitalized carpet of natural vegetation and a haven for nesting seabirds. All alien vertebrates have been eradicated, as have most of the invasive alien plants. Poaching of nesting marine turtles and shearwaters has stopped, leading to an increase in breeding numbers. The Sooty tern has returned to the Island to breed after an absence of 30 years. The coastal plain has been restored with indigenous trees, bringing back the historic forest type. Rats, mice and crazy ants, and other alien organisms, are kept off the Island by strict quarantine measures. Three threatened Seychelles endemic land birds (Seychelles warbler, Seychelles magpie robin and Seychelles white-eye) have been established and are breeding successfully. Overall, the Island restoration programme has improved the compositional, structural and functional biodiversity of the island. The coral reefs are also recovering after the mass coral bleaching event at the end of the last century. Cousine Island is thus paving the way in the craft and science of tropical island restoration as a legacy for future generations.  \u003cp\u003eThis book is about the recovery of Cousine Island and its natural history, told in much detail and with profuse illustration. It is for restoration ecologists, tropical ecologists, island enthusiasts, and for anyone interested in tropical island natural history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wiley-Blackwell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47990414901477,"sku":"NP9781444333091","price":149.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781444333091.jpg?v=1761787734","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/tropical-island-recovery-isbn-9781444333091","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}