From the Foundations to the Frontiers of Biogeography

Abstract

editorial ISSN 1948-6596 From the Foundations to the Frontiers of Biogeography The investigation of patterns of biological diversity selection of the term “frontiers” was made delib- on earth, a topic that has been a focal point of erately for its implication of vast unknown spaces study for over two hundred years, has arguably where wondrous things might be found. Rapid come to a single predominant conclusion: the dis- advances in increasingly detailed knowledge of tribution of organisms has been dynamic over the earth’s geological history, especially its tec- time, changing as a result of the changing geologi- tonic history, continued to overturn previous con- cal face of the earth, the changing climate of the cepts, and study of superb new fossil material has earth, and the dynamic nature of the organisms allowed a resurgence in paleobiogeography. Rapid themselves. At a meeting held at National Center increases in the ease and speed of conducting for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis in Santa Bar- studies using DNA sequencing technology has cre- bara, California in September 2001, which was ated the new field of phylogeography, which has held principally to organize a volume on the Foun- given us bold new perspectives on the history of dations of Biogeography (Lomolino et al. 2004), it diversification and distribution patterns all over was abundantly clear that the field of biogeogra- the globe. The dynamics that underlie patterns of phy had not only an illustrious past, but was en- species richness, especially on islands and along tering an exciting and potentially transformative elevational gradients, have changed rapidly as new data have emerged and new questions have stage of development. Two decisions were reached quickly at that provided new insights that have in turn led to still meeting in Santa Barbara: 1) to organize a new more new questions. There is a growing recogni- society that would provide a forum for biogeogra- tion that marine and terrestrial biogeography, phers world-wide to meet regularly and exchange long discussed in different journals using different new ideas and methods, and 2) to publish a vol- terminology, have a great deal in common and will ume that would exemplify the emerging concepts provide reciprocal illumination in many respects. and identify the most promising directions for fu- And a new term and topic of focus emerged that ture reseearch. The International Biogeography recognizes the value of the data and issues that Society (IBS) held its first meeting in Mesquite, Nevada in 2003, and the papers presented during its symposia became the basis for a book, “Frontiers of Biogeography: New Directions in the Geography of Nature”, which we were honored to organize and edit for publication (Lomolino and Heaney 2004). Thus, the IBS and the recognition of continued dynamic development of conceptual issues in biogeography have been intertwined since the origin of the society. The title of the book was one that we con- sidered carefully. It is our sense that much about biogeography remains unknown, and that both patterns and processes that are of fundamental importance may, even today, be entirely unknown or existing only as a glimmer in someone’s mind. Thus, we wished to choose a title that emphasized that the field was entering an exciting period of Butterfly logo for the original Frontiers of Biogeography great discovery, rather than one of confirmation book (designed by Mark V. Lomolino), that will also be of past ideas and a state of final resolution. The part of the image of this new journal. frontiers of biogeography 1.1, 2009 — © 2009 the authors; journal compilation © 2009 The International Biogeography Society