Member-only story

Alfred Russel Wallace: A Pioneering Naturalist and Co-Discoverer of Natural Selection

Edgar Allan Poe

·4.4k Followers· Follow

Published in Alfred Russel Wallace: A Life

4 min read · 2 weeks before

788 View Claps

40 Respond

Save

Listen

Alfred Russel Wallace was a brilliant naturalist and explorer who made significant contributions to our understanding of evolution and biogeography. Wallace was born in Wales in 1823. He had a passion for the natural world from a young age. Wallace spent several years exploring the Amazon rainforest and the Malay Archipelago. During his expeditions, Wallace collected numerous specimens and meticulously observed the local flora and fauna. These observations contributed greatly to his understanding of species distribution and the development of his theory of natural selection.

Alfred Russel Wallace: A Life

by Peter Raby

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8915 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	356 pages

Wallace's Expeditions and Discoveries

Wallace began his exploration journey as a surveyor in 1848. His first expedition took him to the Amazon rainforest, where he spent several years studying the local flora and fauna. Wallace collected and observed over 10,000 species, many of them previously unknown to science. Wallace noticed distinct patterns in species distribution, which led him to develop a theory of evolution.

Wallace's most famous expedition lasted eight years and took him to the Malay Archipelago. During this expedition, Wallace collected over 125,000 specimens, including 5,000 new species. Wallace also observed the differences between species found on nearby islands. He noticed that closely related species often had different characteristics depending on the island they inhabited. This was an important piece of evidence in the development of Wallace's theory of evolution.

Wallace's Theory of Natural Selection

While Wallace was exploring the Malay Archipelago, he independently developed a theory of natural selection. He realized that individuals with favorable traits were more likely to survive and reproduce, passing their traits onto their offspring. Wallace published his theory of natural selection in 1858. Charles Darwin had been working on a similar theory for several years, and he published his findings in 1859. Darwin and Wallace are now known as the co-discoverers of natural selection.

Wallace's Contributions to Biogeography

In addition to his work on natural selection, Wallace was also a pioneer in the field of biogeography. He developed a theory to explain the distribution of species around the world. Wallace proposed that the current distribution of species is the result of historical geological events, such as climate change and the formation of land bridges. Wallace's theory of biogeography is still used by scientists today.

Wallace's Legacy

Wallace was a brilliant scientist and explorer who made significant contributions to our understanding of evolution, biogeography, and natural history. His theory of natural selection is one of the foundations of modern biology. Wallace's legacy continues to inspire and motivate scientists today.

Alfred Russel Wallace was a pioneering naturalist who made significant contributions to our understanding of the natural world. His work on evolution and biogeography helped to shape the modern scientific understanding of these subjects. Wallace was a brilliant scientist, explorer, and humanitarian who left a lasting legacy in the world of science.

Alfred Russel Wallace: A Life

by Peter Raby

4.5 out of 5