Looks at the plants, animals, people and cities of the unique environments on the islands of the world. Focuses particularly on the damage humans have caused to some islands and what can be done to save them. A Maori story explains the creation of the island of New Zealand and encourages readers to apply their knowledge of islands.

Follow marine biologist Dr. Carole Baldwin as she explores 3,000 feet beneath the ocean, near the Galapagos islands, to collect rare and unusual species for study.

Discusses the people, plant and animal life, ecology, and geology of islands.

"In this addition to the Scientists in the Field series, readers join scientists as they tackle something unusual in the world of ecosystems: colonization. Not a colonization by people, but one of cells, seeds, spores, and other life forms that blow in, fly in, float in, and struggle to survive on the beautiful but harsh new island of Surtsey."--

General overview of ocean, island, and polar region ecosystems, including an exploration of disturbances these ecosystems face due to human interference, pollution, and climate change and currrent conservation and reclamation efforts.--Provided by publisher.

The inspiration for Darwin's theory of evolution, the Galapagos Islands are a living laboratory, a geological conveyor belt that has given birth to and seen the death of many species of plants and animals.