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The ecology of a garden. The first fifteen years
68
Book reviews
searchers, educators and tourists will all be able to identify species with greater ease and accuracy now that a detailed and practical guide is available. Previous ornithological publications on the Malagasy avifauna consist of scattered studies, technical reports (Collar & Stuart, 1985; Dee, 1986; Jenkins, 1987), and a single comprehensive survey forming part of the voluminous Faune de Madagascar (Milon et al., 1973). This was not intended for field identifications, and the illustrations for several important taxa are difficult to use for distinguishing species. Given this situation, one had to rely in the past on the few resident ornithologists for accurate field identifications and species distributions. Langrand, one of these local experts, is well-acquainted with the avifauna through years of ornithological research in Madagascar. He has had an active role in developing conservation programs in cooperation with the Malagasy government. This unique experience has allowed him to produce a field guide which provides, in addition to the identification and natural history of each species, valuable information on the distribution and conservation status of both bird species and important natural habitats. The text continues a welcome trend in field guides of describing the fauna in the context of its ecological and evolutionary relationships to the overall biotic community. The sections on major habitats, migration, and regional and habitat-specific taxonomic composition contribute to a much fuller understanding of the avifauna than that afforded by simple species lists. The detail of the species accounts reflects a thorough review of the available literature and an expert familiarity with the avifauna. Although the description and identification of each species is clear, the notes on similar species, behavior, voice, habitat, and distribution can be particularly useful in assuring accurate identifications. The plates are deftly painted and adequately portray important distinguishing traits among similar species. The accounts of seabirds and shorebirds which are common to Madagascar, or are potentially observed in surrounding waters and on nearby islands, make the guide useful for oceanic excursions throughout the Mascarenes and the western Indian Ocean. Several supplementary sections enhance the practicality of the guide for use in the field. Included are lists and maps of protected areas and all the place names given in the text. Seventeen recommended sites for observing the avifauna are
described along with their respective species lists. The presentation of Malagasy and French names for most species will enable visitors to seek the advice of local people and guides. More importantly, this will aid resident Malagasy in using the guide for research, educational activities, and recreational use. Hopefully, a complete version in French or Malagasy will be available in the future. On an academic level, I think one of the more important contributions of this book is that it illustrates some of the best examples of evolutionary convergence and adaptive radiation in avian communities. The fourteen species of the endemic family Vangidae display a diversity of bill morphologies and resource specializations which rival those of the more well-known cases of Hawaiian honeycreepers and Galapagos finches. One species of Vanga was originally thought to be in the nuthatch family because of its morphological and behavioral similarity to that group (family Sittidae). Two species of asity (endemic family Philepittidae) were also mistaken by early naturalists to be sunbirds due to their striking parallel adaptations for nectar feeding. Hopefully, this guide will help make the extraordinary evolutionary patterns shown by the avifauna of Madagascar as familiar as those of their arboreal neighbours, the lemurs.
REFERENCES Collar, N. J. & Stuart, S. N. (1985). Threatened Birds of Africa and Related Islands: The ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book, Part 1, 3rd edn. International Council for Bird Preservation and International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Cambridge. Dee, T. J. (1986). The Endemic Birds of Madagascar. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge. Jenkins, M. D. (ed.) (1987). Madagascar: An Environmental Profile. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Gland and Cambridge. Milon, P., Petter, J-J. & Randrianosolo, G. (1973). Faune de Madagascar, 35. Oiseaux. ORSTROM AND CNRS, Paris.
David M. Olson
The Ecology of a Garden. The First Fifteen Years.
By Jennifer Owen. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1991. 403 pp. ISBN 0 521 34335 6 (hbk). Price: £60.00, US$100.00. The garden in question is situated 3.8 km from the centre of Leicester. The house was built in 1923 on a 930 m 2 site, previously a mixed plantation in
Book reviews a well-wooded parkland which became enveloped in suburbia during the inter-war years and now lies nearly 2 km inside the city boundary. Dr Owen points out that 27.6% of Leicester city is under garden, more than 10% of which she considers to be good wildlife habitat. Since moving to the property in 1971 she has meticulously recorded the garden flora, and a large component of its fa.una, specializing in insect orders and families which she is able to identify, or can get identified by experts. This book contains the results of the first 15 years from 1972 to 1986, based largely on insects collected in permanently located malaise, pitfall and light traps. The first three chapters provide a very readable introduction to the wildlife of urban areas, and gardens in particular, with a detailed description of Dr Owen's own garden. Chapter 4 deals with the garden flora, of which 214 of the 360 species are aliens and 94 arrived unaided. The next six chapters each deal with a separate insect g r o u p ~ butterflies (is it necessary to repeat the same data three times in Table 5.2 and Figs 5.1 and 5.2?); moths: many host-plant data with lists of up to 38 garden foodplants given for four common noctuids; hoverflies: in which Dr Owen declares herself most interested and on which she has spent most lime, evident from the detailed phenological data provided; Ichneumonidae: 26% of British fauna collected in the garden in three years, with some host-rearing data; bees and wasps: a good natural history account; beetles: includes a special study of ladybirds, but data poor for other families. Why, when so much emphasis is given elsewhere to host-plants, are Phyllotreta nigripes and Apion radiolus just referred to as herbivorous (p. 269), especially as Lavateria (one of the Apion foodplants) is figured (photo 9.2) as a favourite bumblebee flower? Chapters 11-13 contain lists of assorted insects, invertebrates, amphibians, birds and mammals. There are a few surprises but most are common, widespread species. In the last two chapters Dr Owen defines what she calls the contrived plant diversity of a garden, the key to which lies in a state of permanent succession and structural heterogeneity resulting in the garden being a system of ecotones. The last sentences of these two chapters epitomise the con~ents of this book--'There are no pests, because everything in my garden is a source of interest and enjoyment' and 'Are suburban gardens England's most important nature reserve'? I would only suggest that the importance of the rural garden as a
69
haven for wildlife is not overlooked. It is difficult to determine the customers at whom this book is targeted. I regret the price will deter many from enjoying it, but make sure your library gets a copy. R. Colin Welch
Vegetation of New Zealand. By Peter Wardle. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1991. 672 pp~ ISBN 0 521 25873 1 (hbk). Price: £105.00. This book is a magnificent successor to Cockayne's original Vegetation in New Zealand, first published 70 years ago (2nd edition, 1928). Since then there have been many changes in the vegetation and great advances in knowledge and also in understanding of the processes involved in change. Many of Cockayne's localities no longer support native vegetation, and other areas, previously inaccessible and unexplored, have been opened up with modern air transport. Dr Wardle is among New Zealand's most dedicated and eminent plant ecologists, who, using modern survey methods, have amassed a wealth of new information and described formerly unknown or little-known vegetation. After the splitting-up of Gondwana, New Zealand's native flora mostly evolved in isolation during the Tertiary Epoch, though there were probably some later transoceanic immigrants. Dr Wardle outlines the origin and history of the native vascular flora--some 2300 species, of which 85% are endemic. A further 1860 species were introduced by man during the last 1000 years, most, along with many animals, by Europeans in the last 200 years. It seems that the very rich nonvascular flora has been largely neglected by ecologists. The New Zealand region's 18 botanical provinces, illustrated and described here, extend from the sub-tropical Kermadec Islands to the sub-antarctic Macquarie Island. The physical structure and climate of the country are portrayed, and plant growth forms in New Zealand in relation to habitat discussed. The author then classifies and describes systematically all the vegetation types, both native and adventive and mixtures (omitting crops and urban wasteland). Dr Wardle examines production, nutrition and tolerances of native plants, succession of vegetation types, regression and invasion, disturbance
Book reviews
searchers, educators and tourists will all be able to identify species with greater ease and accuracy now that a detailed and practical guide is available. Previous ornithological publications on the Malagasy avifauna consist of scattered studies, technical reports (Collar & Stuart, 1985; Dee, 1986; Jenkins, 1987), and a single comprehensive survey forming part of the voluminous Faune de Madagascar (Milon et al., 1973). This was not intended for field identifications, and the illustrations for several important taxa are difficult to use for distinguishing species. Given this situation, one had to rely in the past on the few resident ornithologists for accurate field identifications and species distributions. Langrand, one of these local experts, is well-acquainted with the avifauna through years of ornithological research in Madagascar. He has had an active role in developing conservation programs in cooperation with the Malagasy government. This unique experience has allowed him to produce a field guide which provides, in addition to the identification and natural history of each species, valuable information on the distribution and conservation status of both bird species and important natural habitats. The text continues a welcome trend in field guides of describing the fauna in the context of its ecological and evolutionary relationships to the overall biotic community. The sections on major habitats, migration, and regional and habitat-specific taxonomic composition contribute to a much fuller understanding of the avifauna than that afforded by simple species lists. The detail of the species accounts reflects a thorough review of the available literature and an expert familiarity with the avifauna. Although the description and identification of each species is clear, the notes on similar species, behavior, voice, habitat, and distribution can be particularly useful in assuring accurate identifications. The plates are deftly painted and adequately portray important distinguishing traits among similar species. The accounts of seabirds and shorebirds which are common to Madagascar, or are potentially observed in surrounding waters and on nearby islands, make the guide useful for oceanic excursions throughout the Mascarenes and the western Indian Ocean. Several supplementary sections enhance the practicality of the guide for use in the field. Included are lists and maps of protected areas and all the place names given in the text. Seventeen recommended sites for observing the avifauna are
described along with their respective species lists. The presentation of Malagasy and French names for most species will enable visitors to seek the advice of local people and guides. More importantly, this will aid resident Malagasy in using the guide for research, educational activities, and recreational use. Hopefully, a complete version in French or Malagasy will be available in the future. On an academic level, I think one of the more important contributions of this book is that it illustrates some of the best examples of evolutionary convergence and adaptive radiation in avian communities. The fourteen species of the endemic family Vangidae display a diversity of bill morphologies and resource specializations which rival those of the more well-known cases of Hawaiian honeycreepers and Galapagos finches. One species of Vanga was originally thought to be in the nuthatch family because of its morphological and behavioral similarity to that group (family Sittidae). Two species of asity (endemic family Philepittidae) were also mistaken by early naturalists to be sunbirds due to their striking parallel adaptations for nectar feeding. Hopefully, this guide will help make the extraordinary evolutionary patterns shown by the avifauna of Madagascar as familiar as those of their arboreal neighbours, the lemurs.
REFERENCES Collar, N. J. & Stuart, S. N. (1985). Threatened Birds of Africa and Related Islands: The ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book, Part 1, 3rd edn. International Council for Bird Preservation and International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Cambridge. Dee, T. J. (1986). The Endemic Birds of Madagascar. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge. Jenkins, M. D. (ed.) (1987). Madagascar: An Environmental Profile. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Gland and Cambridge. Milon, P., Petter, J-J. & Randrianosolo, G. (1973). Faune de Madagascar, 35. Oiseaux. ORSTROM AND CNRS, Paris.
David M. Olson
The Ecology of a Garden. The First Fifteen Years.
By Jennifer Owen. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1991. 403 pp. ISBN 0 521 34335 6 (hbk). Price: £60.00, US$100.00. The garden in question is situated 3.8 km from the centre of Leicester. The house was built in 1923 on a 930 m 2 site, previously a mixed plantation in
Book reviews a well-wooded parkland which became enveloped in suburbia during the inter-war years and now lies nearly 2 km inside the city boundary. Dr Owen points out that 27.6% of Leicester city is under garden, more than 10% of which she considers to be good wildlife habitat. Since moving to the property in 1971 she has meticulously recorded the garden flora, and a large component of its fa.una, specializing in insect orders and families which she is able to identify, or can get identified by experts. This book contains the results of the first 15 years from 1972 to 1986, based largely on insects collected in permanently located malaise, pitfall and light traps. The first three chapters provide a very readable introduction to the wildlife of urban areas, and gardens in particular, with a detailed description of Dr Owen's own garden. Chapter 4 deals with the garden flora, of which 214 of the 360 species are aliens and 94 arrived unaided. The next six chapters each deal with a separate insect g r o u p ~ butterflies (is it necessary to repeat the same data three times in Table 5.2 and Figs 5.1 and 5.2?); moths: many host-plant data with lists of up to 38 garden foodplants given for four common noctuids; hoverflies: in which Dr Owen declares herself most interested and on which she has spent most lime, evident from the detailed phenological data provided; Ichneumonidae: 26% of British fauna collected in the garden in three years, with some host-rearing data; bees and wasps: a good natural history account; beetles: includes a special study of ladybirds, but data poor for other families. Why, when so much emphasis is given elsewhere to host-plants, are Phyllotreta nigripes and Apion radiolus just referred to as herbivorous (p. 269), especially as Lavateria (one of the Apion foodplants) is figured (photo 9.2) as a favourite bumblebee flower? Chapters 11-13 contain lists of assorted insects, invertebrates, amphibians, birds and mammals. There are a few surprises but most are common, widespread species. In the last two chapters Dr Owen defines what she calls the contrived plant diversity of a garden, the key to which lies in a state of permanent succession and structural heterogeneity resulting in the garden being a system of ecotones. The last sentences of these two chapters epitomise the con~ents of this book--'There are no pests, because everything in my garden is a source of interest and enjoyment' and 'Are suburban gardens England's most important nature reserve'? I would only suggest that the importance of the rural garden as a
69
haven for wildlife is not overlooked. It is difficult to determine the customers at whom this book is targeted. I regret the price will deter many from enjoying it, but make sure your library gets a copy. R. Colin Welch
Vegetation of New Zealand. By Peter Wardle. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1991. 672 pp~ ISBN 0 521 25873 1 (hbk). Price: £105.00. This book is a magnificent successor to Cockayne's original Vegetation in New Zealand, first published 70 years ago (2nd edition, 1928). Since then there have been many changes in the vegetation and great advances in knowledge and also in understanding of the processes involved in change. Many of Cockayne's localities no longer support native vegetation, and other areas, previously inaccessible and unexplored, have been opened up with modern air transport. Dr Wardle is among New Zealand's most dedicated and eminent plant ecologists, who, using modern survey methods, have amassed a wealth of new information and described formerly unknown or little-known vegetation. After the splitting-up of Gondwana, New Zealand's native flora mostly evolved in isolation during the Tertiary Epoch, though there were probably some later transoceanic immigrants. Dr Wardle outlines the origin and history of the native vascular flora--some 2300 species, of which 85% are endemic. A further 1860 species were introduced by man during the last 1000 years, most, along with many animals, by Europeans in the last 200 years. It seems that the very rich nonvascular flora has been largely neglected by ecologists. The New Zealand region's 18 botanical provinces, illustrated and described here, extend from the sub-tropical Kermadec Islands to the sub-antarctic Macquarie Island. The physical structure and climate of the country are portrayed, and plant growth forms in New Zealand in relation to habitat discussed. The author then classifies and describes systematically all the vegetation types, both native and adventive and mixtures (omitting crops and urban wasteland). Dr Wardle examines production, nutrition and tolerances of native plants, succession of vegetation types, regression and invasion, disturbance