Reptiles in the Changing Climate

Species and Ecosystems in Flux on Orchid Island
Erscheinungsjahr 2026
ISBN: 978-981-9218-86-8
Verlag: Springer Nature Singapore

Buch, Englisch, 427 Seiten, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 241 mm, Gewicht: 907 g

Reihe: Fascinating Life Sciences

This book provides a comprehensive examination of the ecological challenges facing Orchid Island's reptile populations, focusing on the impacts of island biogeography and climate change. By synthesizing extensive findings from over 28 years of studies, it offers a detailed analysis of the factors contributing to the decline of reptile populations on this unique island.

The chapters cover a range of topics, including the prospects of reptile ecology on small islands, the cornerstone of basic ecological research, and the importance of long-term ecological studies. Readers will also explore animal behavior studies and the origins of reptile research on Orchid Island. The book addresses critical questions such as why reptile populations are declining despite minimal human interference and how climate change is disrupting the island's food chain. Through the lens of physiology, molecular biology, and climate change, the authors present a thorough examination of the challenges facing island reptiles.

This volume is an invaluable resource for ecologists, conservationists, and researchers interested in island ecosystems and the impacts of climate change. It invites readers to consider the complex interplay between environmental changes and biodiversity on isolated islands. Scholars and students in the fields of ecology, environmental science, and conservation biology will find this book particularly beneficial. Additionally, it serves as a compelling read for anyone interested in understanding the silent extinctions occurring on Orchid Island and the broader implications for global biodiversity. Whether you are a seasoned scholar or a curious layperson, this book offers a unique perspective on the ecological dynamics of island environments and the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Zielgruppe

Popular/general

Autoren/Hrsg.

Huang, Wen-San

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Evolutionsbiologie
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Klimawandel, Globale Erwärmung
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltschutz, Umwelterhaltung
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Ökologie
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Tierkunde / Zoologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Chapter 1. Location, Geological age, culture and Flora and fauna in Orchid Island.- Chapter 2  When and how animals are dispersed to Orchid Island?- Chapter 3. Ecology and reproductive biology of nine species of lizards on Orchid Island.- Chapter 4. Territorial behavior of kukri snake.- Chapter 5 When males live longer: a case from territorial female snakes.- Chapter 6 Parental care in long-tailed skinks.- Chapter 7 Parental care and relative issues.- Chapter 8 Parental care and nesting selection.- Chapter 9 Lizard eggs and ants.- Chapter 10 Tree lizard territory and adaptation.- Chapter 11 Aposematic signals to sympatric and allopatric lizard predators.- Chapter 12 The sum of intraguild predators' fears drives the survival of green sea turtle ( ) eggs.- Chapter 13 The effects of climate change on lizard fitness are dependent on nesting habitat.- Chapter 14 Raging ocean and fragile island: Loss of sea turtle eggs leads to the collapse of island reptile communities.

Über Autor(innen)

Dr. Wen-San Huang is the Director of the National Museum of Natural Science and serves as an adjunct professor at National Chung Hsing University, National Cheng Kung University, and Tunghai University, where he teaches courses primarily in herpetology. Over the past 33 years, he has held a range of roles at the museum, including Collection Manager, Assistant Researcher, Associate Researcher, Researcher, Chair of Zoology, Chair of Biology, Deputy Director for Academic Affairs, and now Director.

Dr. Huang has conducted extensive research on the reptiles of Orchid Island, Taiwan, for more than 29 years (1997–present). His work has resulted in over 40 publications in international journals, covering topics such as ecology, physiology, evolution, and behavior, with a particular focus on how climate change contributes to population declines and extinctions.

This book is the culmination of decades of long-term fieldwork, foundational ecological data collection, and detailed investigation into species interactions. All content is drawn directly from Dr. Huang’s research and published findings.