Jon Fjeldså

This book invites the reader to take a unique journey through the history of the Solar System, the Earth, its evolving biodiversity and ecosystems, and the current state of the planet. It is an attempt to stimulate the reader’s sense of wonder and fascination with our planet: how it was created, the eons before it was populated by ourselves, how organic life, including humans, developed and evolved, and some of the threats we face during the Late Holocene. The Origins of All Things is well suited for teaching purposes, as it offers a synoptic, well-supported overview of key issues in biology and geology, and an easy introduction to key publications that broaden the scope of each chapter. The book is relevant for students of biology, geography, geology and anyone interested in the origin of life on Earth and its evolution.

Those who are unfamiliar with grebes tend to think of them as odd ducks, but their strange behaviours reveal them to be fascinating and intriguing birds. Grebes are unusual and unique in many ways: their habit of feather-eating; their method of sunbathing; their special method of underwater propulsion; the unusual structure of their feet; their courtship behaviour; and their floating nests. As the birds are dependent upon shallow wetlands, they are strongly affected and threatened by our use of their habitats, leading to dwindling populations and even extinction of some species. In this new addition to the Bird Families of the World series Jon Fjeldså, a renowned expert on the grebes, provides an overview of the results of all the research that has been done on grebes. Part I contains a brief presentation of the grebe family, constraints of diving, the relationships between grebes and divers, and the morphology of grebes. Part II covers their biogeography, ecological distribution, feeding ecology, behaviour and communication, breeding biology, environmental threats, and conservation. Part III follows with 22 species accounts, including distribution maps. The plates section contains sixteen stunning paintings showing all the grebe species, by Jon Fjeldså. The Grebes, like its companion volumes in the series, will be an indispensable work of reference for ornithologists, whether professional or amateur.