Deserts as laboratories of evolution
Date
2011-10
Authors
Ellis, Allan G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS OpenJournals
Abstract
For most of us the appeal of deserts lies in the barren, bleak, monotonous landscapes that
characterise them. What we sometimes forget though, is that the harsh abiotic environment, and
the resulting spatial and temporal variability in severely limiting resources, necessitates a suite of
fascinating, and even bizarre, adaptations in the life forms which occupy them. David Ward uses
this notion of deserts as evolutionary laboratories as the thread that ties together the wide range
of topics he covers in his book, The biology of deserts. The book is part of The Biology of Habitats
series from Oxford University Press, which endeavours to provide integrated overviews of many
of the globe’s habitats, focusing on the ecology and adaptations of the organisms which inhabit
them. Ward’s contribution achieves these objectives, presenting a broad overview of the (often
underappreciated) desert habitat, and the fascinating strategies of the plants and animals that
manage to survive there.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.sajs.co.za/
Keywords
The biology of deserts, David Ward, Book review, Desert, Evolution
Citation
Ellis, A.G. 2011. Deserts as laboratories of evolution. South African Journal of Science, 107(9/10), doi: 10.4102/sajs.v107i9/10.805.