(Macmillan, London 1978).
Description (from the publisher): The Ephemeral Islands
is the first comprehensive natural history of the Bahamas
in over seventy years. Although wide-ranging in perspective, the
book emphasizes those habitats and species that are uniquely Bahamian
or are in danger of disappearing. As Prince Philip wrote in the
Forward to The Ephemeral Islands, "the first step
to rational conservation measures is a knowledge of the facts."
The Ephemeral Islands will be a corner-stone of Bahamian
conservation for years to come. To understand modern-day Bahamian
natural history, one must consider the geological, evolutionary
and historical processes which have led to the present. In terms
of geological time, the modern-day Bahamas have only just emerged
from the shallow Pleistocene sea, and perhaps in an equally short
period of time will return to the sea; hence the title of the
book. All terrestrial ecosystems are, therefore, relatively young
in the Bahamas. Many disparate species, spread over dozens of
islands, all hark from common Pleistocene ancestors. As the author
points out, Charles Darwin could well have derived his insights
into evolution and speciation in the Bahama Islands, should destiny
have sent him there instead of the Galapagos islands. Islands
are nature's moated evolutionary laboratories and the naturalist's
special love.
Reviewers' Comments:
"David G. Campbell, former Director of the Bahamas National
Trust, has communicated in a lively and captivating style his
enthusiasm for the flora and fauna of the 700 islands which comprise
the Commonwealth of the Bahamas." Caribbean & West Indies
Chronicle.
"...a book of exceptional quality...a delightfully readable
style. The range of topics is so comprehensive that any review
is bound to be inadequate." W. G. B. Gooding. Caribbean
Conservation News.
"...a gem of a book." Sea Frontiers.