Nature's Wonderlands: Islands of Evolution
Series Overview
Three-part series in which Professor Richard Fortey investigates why islands are natural laboratories of evolution and meets some of the unique and remarkable species that live on them. Examining some of the crucial influences on natural selection that are normally overlooked - like geology, geography, isolation and time - the series reveals that there is much more to evolution than 'survival of the fittest'. Charting the lifecycle of islands - from their birth and colonisation to the flowering of evolutionary creativity that often accompanies their maturity, and what happens when an island grows old and nears its end - Fortey encounters wild lemurs in the rainforest of Madagascar, acid-resistant shrimps in the rock pools of Hawaii, and giant wolf spiders in Madeira as he searches for the hidden rules of island evolution.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
1 Season • 3 Episodes
2016 – 2016
Premiered: Mon, Jan 18, 2016
Creative Production Team
Latest Aired Episode
Season 1, Episode 3: “Madeira: Island Ark”
In the final episode, Richard Fortey travels to Madeira to examine what happens to a volcanic island as it nears the end of its life cycle and starts sinking back into the sea. Here, in the island's laurisilva forest, he examines the remains of an ancient forest that once carpeted all of Europe, finds island lizards that live to be four times older than their mainland counterparts, and meets a huge wolf spider. With the help of local divers, he also discovers an unexpectedly rich marine habitat populated by whales, dolphins and unusual deep-sea species that have much to tell us about the changing nature of our seas.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
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Age Classification & Content Advisories
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NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Universal Public Exhibition — Unrestricted family viewing.
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What is Nature's Wonderlands: Islands of Evolution about?
Three-part series in which Professor Richard Fortey investigates why islands are natural laboratories of evolution and meets some of the unique and remarkable species that live on them. Examining some of the crucial influences on natural selection that are normally overlooked - like geology, geography, isolation and time - the series reveals that there is much more to evolution than 'survival of the fittest'. Charting the lifecycle of islands - from their birth and colonisation to the flowering of evolutionary creativity that often accompanies their maturity, and what happens when an island grows old and nears its end - Fortey encounters wild lemurs in the rainforest of Madagascar, acid-resistant shrimps in the rock pools of Hawaii, and giant wolf spiders in Madeira as he searches for the hidden rules of island evolution.
How many seasons does Nature's Wonderlands: Islands of Evolution have?
Nature's Wonderlands: Islands of Evolution comprises 1 season available to explore.
Who stars in Nature's Wonderlands: Islands of Evolution?
Key cast members in Nature's Wonderlands: Islands of Evolution include Richard Fortey.
Who created or directed Nature's Wonderlands: Islands of Evolution?
Nature's Wonderlands: Islands of Evolution was developed and directed by Not specified.