KhizooologyThe Song of the Dodo
A fragment can become an island.
Big Idea
Quammen explains how island biology helps reveal the dangers created when human activity breaks continuous habitats into isolated pieces.
Natural Laboratories
Islands make patterns of evolution, distribution, and extinction easier to examine.
Isolation and Difference
Separated populations can follow different evolutionary paths and develop distinctive species.
A Vulnerable Variety
Island species can be especially exposed to introduced threats and limited habitat.
Mainland Islands
Roads, clearing, and development can turn once-connected landscapes into isolated habitat fragments.
Conservation in Practice
The book connects scientific ideas with fieldwork and efforts to prevent particular species from disappearing.
Khizooo Take
Look for connections between remaining habitats, rather than judging a landscape only by how much green is left.
Remember
A habitat’s connections can matter as much as its size.