Galapagos Giant Tortoises

Galapagos Giant Tortoises brings together researchers and conservationists to share the most up-to-date knowledge of Galapagos giant tortoises. Despite being icons of the Galapagos Archipelago, their evolution and ecology remained unknown until recently. This book documents the history, conservation issues, and success stories of recovering several species from near extinction, including captive breeding, invasive species, introduced diseases, and de-extinction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 536 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2020
Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc

Galapagos giant tortoises serve as a focal point for researchers and conservationists, bringing together the latest knowledge on these iconic creatures. Despite their fame as symbols of the Galapagos Archipelago and the extensive efforts invested in conservation research and management over the past 50 years, significant aspects of their evolution and ecology remained largely unknown until recent times. This book aims to shed light on the history, pressing conservation challenges, and remarkable success stories of recovering several of the 15 distinct species of Galapagos tortoises from the brink of extinction.

The journey begins with an overview of the complex relationship between humans and Galapagos giant tortoises, tracing its origins from the initial heavy exploitation by pirates and whalers to the dawn of the modern conservation era in the 1960s. The book then delves into the intricate details of Galapagos tortoise biology, encompassing their evolution, taxonomy, ecology, habitats, reproduction, and behavior.

The subsequent chapters review the decades of dedicated conservation efforts and their remarkable outcomes. These include addressing issues such as captive breeding, the introduction of invasive species, the spread of introduced diseases, and the potential of de-extinction techniques. The book also provides an up-to-date assessment of the current status and distribution of each species, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The final section of the book focuses on four case studies of restoration efforts, showcasing the successful strategies employed to restore and protect tortoise populations. These case studies provide valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of conservation work and offer a glimpse into the future of all tortoise populations.

Galapagos Giant Tortoises is a valuable resource for researchers, conservationists, students of biology, wildlife conservation, and herpetology. It offers a comprehensive and up-to-date account of these remarkable creatures, contributing to our understanding of biodiversity, ecological resilience, and the importance of sustainable conservation practices.

Weight: 1654g
Dimension: 223 x 286 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780128175545