Back to the Future in the Caves of Kaua'i
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A Scientist's Adventures in the Dark
David A. Burney
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Format: PaperPrice: $22.00
The intriguing tale of one of the world’s richest fossil sites and its profound implications for the environmental future of the planet
For two decades, paleoecologist David Burney and his wife, Lida Pigott Burney, have led an excavation of Makauwahi Cave on the island of Kaua‘i, uncovering the fascinating variety of plants and animals that have inhabited Hawaii throughout its history. From the unique perspective of paleoecology—the study of ancient environments—Burney has focused his investigations on the dramatic ecological changes that began after the arrival of humans one thousand years ago, detailing not only the environmental degradation they introduced but also asking how and why this destruction occurred and, most significantly, what might happen in the future.
Using Kaua‘i as an ecological prototype and drawing on the author’s adventures in Madagascar, Mauritius, and other exciting locales, Burney examines highly pertinent theories about current threats to endangered species, restoration of ecosystems, and how people can work together to repair environmental damage elsewhere on the planet. Intriguing illustrations, including a reconstruction of the ancient ecological landscape of Kaua‘i by the artist Julian Hume, offer an engaging window into the ecological marvels of another time. A fascinating adventure story of one man’s life in paleoecology, Back to the Future in the Caves of Kaua‘i reveals the excitement—and occasional frustrations—of a career spent exploring what the past can tell us about the future.
“Offers up the science of paleoecology with unaffected ease and provides the reader with concise but astute historical background.”—Mark Merlin, University of Hawaii at Manoa
“A fascinating and deeply personal account that takes us from catastrophe in Hawai'i, the extinction capital of the United States, to hope and restoration. David Burney’s extensive information about the past indicates future pathways for habitat restoration. Paleoecology really comes to life here.”—Sir Ghillean Prance, FRS
“The poorly known history of Kaua’i, oldest of the Hawaiian islands, viewed through the lens offered by the rich fossil deposits in a shoreline cave, where volunteers who helped in the excavation also worked to restore the original vegetation. A unique way of viewing the past and building for the future and a great human story, beautifully written and thought provoking.”—Peter Raven, President of the Missouri Botanical Garden
“This book offers an interesting narrative of one man’s professional and person journey to uncover something of Hawaii’s distant past and find a way to help secure its ecological future.” — D.A. Brass, Choice
Publication Date: April 26, 2011
39 b/w + 8 color illus.
