The Galápagos: A Natural History

Those expecting a robust natural history of the Galápagos Islands are likely to be disappointed by this abbreviated work. Nicholls (Lonesome George) covers too much ground in too little space, leading to superficial coverage of all aspects of the islands’ unique ecosystem. While he points out that the Galápagos are home to 4,000 species, of which approximately 1,600 are endemic to the islands, he mentions not more than a handful by name. Throughout, Nicholls attempts to strike a balance between competing demands: he presents a historical perspective, quoting extensively from Darwin and other early explorers; he brings in some basic ecological and geological principles to explain the patterns observed; and he provides fleeting reference to actual species currently extant in the ecosystem. His most successful and informative chapters—if for no other reason than he spends the time to develop his ideas—deal with the impact humans have had on the islands, though this portion of the work would be better described as cultural geography rather than natural history. The book features numerous attractive 19th- and early–20th-century illustrations, but as interesting as they are, had they been supplemented with some current pictures of flora, fauna, and habitat, the experience would have been far richer and more in keeping with the book’s subtitle. Illus. (Apr.)