W.E. Kunin – författare

Most of what we know about the biological world comes from the study of common species, but most species are rare. The bias in our knowledge-base is of particular concern because rare and common species may, and indeed often do, differ in more ways than just their abundance patterns. The editors of this volume had previously reported in the literature a repeated pattern of low dispersal abilities, high levels of self-compatibility, and low reproductive effort among rare species. The purpose of this volume is to further document the existence of rare-common differences and to elucidate the various processes that may contribute to their creation. Rare species and the subject of rarity itself have gained increasing attention in recent years. This book addresses an aspect of their biology, bringing insights from a variety of disciplines to bear on the causes and implications of differences between rare and common species. The book should interest not only those concerned with rare species but also those of more theoretical leanings, as it addresses the fundamental question of how various ecological and evolutionary processes can contribute to the formation of pattern.

This book began life as a review article. That article spawned a symposium which was, in turn, greatly expanded to form the present volume. As the project moved through these developmental stages (hopefully, towards attainment of its full maturity), a number of people have provided invaluable assistance to us, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them. Gordon Orians must certainly take a high place in that list. He has been both a friend and mentor to W.E.K., and many of the topics explored in this book have emerged from the resultant dialogue. His thought processes, ideas and perhaps even some of his turns of phrase emerge throughout much ofthe book. Gordon also played a pivotal role in inviting in motion, and so he has served as a catalyst the article that set this project to the book as well as one of its reagents. While he has not served as an editor of this book, he is one of its authors in more than just the literal sense.