South Sea Islands: A Natural History

by Rod Morris, Alison Ballance

The fascinating truth behind paradise. This beautiful and absorbing book is a celebration of the history and exotic ecosystems of the South Seas Easter Island, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Madagascar, French Polynesia, Galapagos, Komodo, Sulawesi, New Guinea, Tasmania, Lord Howe, Phillip, and New Caledonia. Today, these islands exist in isolation and act as real-time laboratories where lifeforms adapt and change to survive in various circumstances. The islands are home to astonishing wildlife such as the Komodo dragon, Tasmanian devil, and predator marsupials. The book features the human follies and accidents that caused devastating ecological disasters on some islands and records the dramatic measures used to recover and repopulate the islands that were long considered ecologically lost. Spectacular color photography captures the stunning vistas and natural beauty of these unique islands. Images include pristine rainforests, striking wildlife, exotic reptiles and insects such as an eight inch centipede, brilliant flowers, the ancient quarries of Easter Island where its colossal statues were produced and many more.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2003