Origin and Evolution of Tropical Rain Forests

Informationen zum Autor Robert J. Morley is the author of Origin and Evolution of Tropical Rain Forests, published by Wiley. Klappentext Although tropical rain forests form the world's most species-rich ecosystems, their origin and history remain unclear, except on the very short timescale of the last 40 000 years or so. This book provides the first comprehensive review of the history of tropical rain forests on a long term geological timescale, commencing with the origin of the angiosperms over 100 million years ago, which today overwhelmingly dominate these forests. Tropical rain forest evolution is discussed in a global context within an up to date plate tectonic, palaeogeographical and palaeoclimatic framework, primarily by reference to the record of fossil pollen and spores. A particularly important aspect of this book is that in addition to published literature, it relies heavily on unpublished palynological data generated for petroleum companies during the course of hydrocarbon exploration programmes. Without access to such data the book could not have been written. The main text of the book reviews the evolution of tropical rain forests on a continent by continent basis, culminating with a global synthesis of their history in relation to the changing positions of the world's tectonic plates and changing climates. This section also establishes the age of the great tropical rain forest blocks and identifies the world's oldest tropical rain forests. The final chapter compares 20th Century tropical rain forest destruction with prehistoric forest clearance in temperate regions, and looks for analogues of the present phase of destruction within the geological record before considering long term implications of total rain forest destruction. The book will be of interest to all concerned with tropical rain forests, especially biologists, botanists, ecologists, and students of evolution. It will be valuable for postgraduates and advanced undergraduates, as well as stratigraphers, palaeobotanists, palynologists, and petroleum geologists. Zusammenfassung Provides the first comprehensive review of the evolution of tropical rain forests on a continent by continent basis! within an up--to--date tectonic! palaeogeographical and palaeoclimatic framework primarily by reference to the record of fossil pollens and spores. Inhaltsverzeichnis Present--Day Tropical Rain Forests. Geological Time Framework! Palaeoecological and Palaeoclimate Definitions. Geological Evidence for Rain Forests. Early Angiosperm History and the First Megathermal Rain Forests. South and Middle America. Africa. India. Southeast Asia and the Eastern Pacific. Australasia. Northern Hemisphere Megathermal Rain Forests. Interplate Dispersal Paths and Land Bridges. Synthesis. The Future of Rain Forests? Appendix. Glossary. References. Indexes. ...

Autorentext
Robert J. Morley is the author of Origin and Evolution of Tropical Rain Forests, published by Wiley.

Klappentext
Although tropical rain forests form the world's most species-rich ecosystems, their origin and history remain unclear, except on the very short timescale of the last 40 000 years or so. This book provides the first comprehensive review of the history of tropical rain forests on a long term geological timescale, commencing with the origin of the angiosperms over 100 million years ago, which today overwhelmingly dominate these forests. Tropical rain forest evolution is discussed in a global context within an up to date plate tectonic, palaeogeographical and palaeoclimatic framework, primarily by reference to the record of fossil pollen and spores. A particularly important aspect of this book is that in addition to published literature, it relies heavily on unpublished palynological data generated for petroleum companies during the course of hydrocarbon exploration programmes. Without access to such data the book could not have been written. The main text of the book reviews the evolution of tropical rain forests on a continent by continent basis, culminating with a global synthesis of their history in relation to the changing positions of the world's tectonic plates and changing climates. This section also establishes the age of the great tropical rain forest blocks and identifies the world's oldest tropical rain forests. The final chapter compares 20th Century tropical rain forest destruction with prehistoric forest clearance in temperate regions, and looks for analogues of the present phase of destruction within the geological record before considering long term implications of total rain forest destruction. The book will be of interest to all concerned with tropical rain forests, especially biologists, botanists, ecologists, and students of evolution. It will be valuable for postgraduates and advanced undergraduates, as well as stratigraphers, palaeobotanists, palynologists, and petroleum geologists.

Zusammenfassung
Provides the first comprehensive review of the evolution of tropical rain forests on a continent by continent basis, within an up--to--date tectonic, palaeogeographical and palaeoclimatic framework primarily by reference to the record of fossil pollens and spores.

Inhalt
Present day rainforests; geological time framework; palaeoecological and palaeoclimate definitions; geological evidence for rainforests; early angiosperm history and the first megathermal rainforests; South and Middle America; Africa; India; Southeast Asia and Eastern Pacific; Australasia; Northern Hemisphere rainforests; interplate dispersal paths and land bridges; synthesis; the future of rainforests?.

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