Abstract
Israel is distinguished by an extraordinary biotic diversity, due to the combination of its geographical position at a continental crossroads, its great physical variety and rich paleobiological history. The opening chapters examine the geological and historical setting of the area, its configuration and paleoclimates during the Pleistocene, its geomorphology, soils and climate, and the botanical background. A detailed description of the origin and development of the Levantine biotas follows. Several chapters deal with the distribution of some of the better known faunal groups of Israel (insects, land snails and terrestrial vertebrates). Genetic, cytological and physiological variations of some of the more widely distributed taxa are then discussed, together with discussion of bird migration over Israel. The final chapter describes the great changes which, due to human activity, have occurred in the 20th century in the distribution and abundance of animals in Israel. The 18 papers are abstracted separately. -from Publisher
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The zoogeography of Israel |
| Subtitle of host publication | the distribution and abundance at a zoogeographical crossroad |
| Publisher | Dr. W. Junk; Monographiae Biologicae, 62 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9061936500, 9789061936503 |
| State | Published - 1988 |