The Prince Edward Islands : land-sea interactions in a changing ecosystem
Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SUN PReSS
Abstract
Islands are typically studied because of their unusual terrestrial plant and
animals life, because they form the breeding grounds for immense colonies
of pelagic predators, and because they provide remarkable, open-air
laboratories for understanding the structure and functioning of natural
systems. The sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands are no exception.
However, a great deal of attention has also been given to the way in which
marine and terrestrial systems interact and influence each other’s
dynamics, making the islands unusual. Indeed, Marion and Prince Edward
Islands and their surrounding marine systems are amongst the most
thoroughly investigated on the globe, and certainly hold the title for
Southern Ocean. This book provides a modern, synthetic overview of what
is known about the structure, functioning and interactions of marine and
terrestrial systems at the Prince Edward Islands. Building on more than 50
years of biological, geological, meteorological, and oceanographic research,
it demonstrates not only how inextricably linked marine and terrestrial
systems at the islands are, but also how global environmental challenges,
such as climate change, biological invasions, and over exploitation, are
playing out at the regional and local levels in the Southern Ocean. The
book also provides a rare insight into the history of the human presence on
the islands, including the ways in which South Africa’s socio-political history
has influenced practices at a remote sub-Antarctic research station, which
has been occupied since the islands’ annexation in 1947/48.
Description
CITATION: Chown, S.L. & Froneman, P.W. (eds). 2008. The Prince Edward Islands Land-Sea Interactions in a Changing Ecosystem. Stellenbosch: SUN PReSS. doi:10.18820/9781928357063.
The original publication is available from AFRICAN SUNMeDIA - www.sun-e-shop.co.za
The original publication is available from AFRICAN SUNMeDIA - www.sun-e-shop.co.za
Keywords
Prince Edward Islands -- Environmental conditions, Ecology -- Prince Edward Islands, Climatic changes -- Prince Edward Islands
Citation
Chown, S.L. & Froneman, P.W. (eds). 2008. The Prince Edward Islands Land-Sea Interactions in a Changing Ecosystem. Stellenbosch: SUN PReSS. doi:10.18820/9781928357063.