Ewel, John J., Mascaro, Joseph, Kueffer, Christoph, Lugo, Ariel E., Lach, Lori, and Gardener, Mark R. (2013) Islands: where novelty is the norm. In: Hobbs, Richard J., Higgs, Eric S., and Hall, Carol M., (eds.) Novel Ecosystems: intervening in the new ecological world order. Wiley-Blackwell, West Sussex, UK, pp. 29-44.

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Abstract

Islands have much to offer our understanding of novel ecosystems, for it is there that novel assemblages of species have developed most rapidly and dramatically. This chapter on island ecosystem novelty considers non-continental land masses currently surrounded by ocean, whether that has been true throughout their geological history or not. It briefly discusses the three main factors that influence island ecosystem novelty: physical geography, biogeography and human ecology. It aims to provide some context for development of the main topic of interest in keeping with the principal subject matter of this book: when and how to intervene in novel ecosystems. The topic of intervention is discussed in relation to need, barriers and feasibility. Finally, the chapter presents five lessons from islands and elsewhere which have particularly widespread applicability.

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