On August 27th 1883, the island of Krakatau near Java erupted with a force nearly ten thousand times that of the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima, destroying all plant and animal life. This book is an account of the reassembly of a tropical forest ecosystem on Krakatau over the past century. Also investigated are the fascinating biology of islands, the struggles to construct comprehensive theories for difficult processes and the techniques for preserving species diversity.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments One Touch of Nature The Day That Shook the World The Great Enigmas of 1883 Why Krakatau? Life Returns The "Krakatau Problem" Arrival Krakatau's Child Community Enrichment Divergence of the Forests Life on an Active Volcano Krakatau and Island Biogeography Community Assembly: Lottery or Jigsaw Puzzle? The Human Presence, Past and Future Glossary Biographical Notes References Credits Author Index General Index

About the Author

Ian Thornton was Emeritus Professor of Zoology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.

Reviews

Thornton (zoology, La Trobe Univ., Australia) succeeds in doing exactly what the title of his book states‘trace the destruction and rebirth of the island of Krakatau. His first four chapters set the geologic stage beginning several months prior to the August 27, 1883, eruption, which killed more than 37,000 people and exterminated all plant and animal life. The rest of his book chronicles the reestablishment of the ecosystem. The eruption and its aftermath are viewed as a natural experiment ideal for testing modern theories of ecosystems and biogeography. Drawing on the volumes of literature produced since the eruption, the author explores past scientific controversies and poses questions relating to Krakatau specifically and to disturbed ecosystems in general. Useful features include a glossary of geological and biological terms, biographical notes on prominent early pioneers, and a comprehensive bibliography. Thornton's writing is clear and precise, resulting in an interesting and insightful account of the island's evolution. Highly recommended for academic and larger public libraries.‘Jeanne R. Davidson, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis

Exciting, information-rich...Thornton, an accomplished biologist, presents a detailed history [of Krakatau] replete with fascinating details...[This book will] provide hours of truly pleasurable reading and also clear and deep insights into the fascinating biology of islands, the struggles to construct comprehensive theories for difficult processes and the techniques for preserving species diversity. -- Lawrence B. Slobodkin Nature It's sure to become a classic for biogeography, as well as being a testimonial to the resilience of life. New Scientist [A] fascinating book...I could not put it down. This extraordinary text is most certainly not just another volcano book. Ian Thornton's knowledge of his subject is daunting. He describes the events leading up to the awesome eruption in 1883 that left more than 36,000 people dead, destroyed over 160 towns and villages, and wiped out a whole island. He has gone back to original ships' logs and scientific papers and has translated them himself to present a highly readable, informative and gripping story...Informative as it is, the book has all the intrigue and suspense of a good 'whodunit'...[A] thoroughly good read. -- Hazel Rymer Times Higher Education Supplement [An] uncommonly well-written book...This scholarly and lucid book summarizes nearly all that is known concerning the history, geology, and natural history of Krakatau, both before and after the cataclysmic eruption of August 1883...Thornton, who has focused his professional attention on Krakatau for the last twenty years, is both entertaining and informative in synthesizing these events and explaining their biological significance in the context of ongoing conceptual debates in ecology and biogeography. -- Ted J. Case Science Thornton offers us a fascinating, dynamic picture of island colonization and the step-by-step assembly of a tropical ecosystem. -- Jonathan Kingdon Times Literary Supplement [This book is] sure to become a classic for biogeographers, as well as being a testimonial to the resilience of life. New Scientist It is because of the detailed picture of succession, disturbance, habitat relations and of all manner of ecological interactions that Krakatau provides its unique contributions to island theory. It demonstrates the sorts of ecological parameters that island models must accommodate in order to be applicable to 'proper' islands. This book is thus an important contribution to the literature on Krakatau--and it ably communicates the author's great enthusiasm for this enigmatic, notorious group of islands--but it also constitutes a study of general ecological value, I hope that it is widely read. -- Robert J. Whittaker Trends in Ecology and Evolution

On August 27, 1883, the volcanic Pacific island of Krakatau exploded with enormous force, killing upwards of 37,000 people, destroying two-thirds of its land mass and, most likely, extirpating all the island's flora and fauna. Such a large amount of ash was spewed into the atmosphere that global temperatures dropped significantly and beautiful sunsets became the norm for years. In a comprehensive treatise, zoology professor Thornton addresses all aspects of this remarkable event. Chapters outline the underlying geology, discuss whether all life on the island was killed during the explosion, summarize the patterns of recolonization and analyze the impact of recolonization according to the equilibrium theory of island biogeography. Although there is a good deal of interesting material, most of the book is too dry and technical to be fully accessible to a popular audience, while the general tone is too introductory to please professionals. Illustrations. (Feb.)