The Ephemeral Islands is the first comprehensive natural history of the Bahamas in over seventy years. Although wide-ranging in perspective, the book emphasizes those habitats and species that are uniquely Bahamian or are in danger of disappearing. The Ephemeral Islands will be a corner-stone of Bahamian conservation for years to come. To understand modern-day Bahamian natural history, one must consider the geological, evolutionary and historical processes which have led to the present.
All terrestrial ecosystems are, therefore, relatively young in the Bahamas.
Many disparate species, spread over dozens of islands, all hark from common Pleistocene ancestors. As the author points out, Charles Darwin could well have derived his insights into evolution and speciation in the Bahama Islands, should destiny have sent him there instead of the Galapagos islands. Islands are nature's moated evolutionary laboratories and the naturalist's special love. The range of topics is so comprehensive that any review is bound to be inadequate. W. G. B. Gooding.