Review Of "An Inventory Of Breeding Seabirds Of The Caribbean" Edited By P. E. Bradley And R. L. Norton

Document Type

Book Review

Publication Date

10-1-2009

Published In

Choice

Abstract

This work updates the numbers of breeding seabirds in the Caribbean; it is the latest of three attempts dating back to 1984. The editors have divided the Caribbean into 25 regions ranging from Bermuda to Venezuela. Authors familiar with each region discuss the area and provide numbers of birds by species, threats to breeding birds, and the outlook for conservation (usually dismal). Four summary chapters by the editors review the available data for the entire area by species, by larger taxonomic groups, and over time to find general population trends. Despite a few success stories, most species are in decline, and several are headed for extinction. However, the editors make specific recommendations for conservation. The volume includes an excellent bibliography of 1,500 references, 44 black-and-white photographs, and numerous tables and maps, which are often difficult to read but useful. This work is probably the best readers will see for some time, and it deserves a place in any graduate or professional library with a focus on the Caribbean or seabird conservation. General and undergraduate readers will find less to interest them in this data-heavy tome. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate through professional collections.

Comments

This work is freely available courtesy of Choice Reviews. The review has been reproduced in full in the abstract field.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS