Zoological expeditions to the Krakatau Islands, 1984 and 1985: General introduction

Abstract
This paper is a general introduction to a series of papers reporting the results of the 1984 and 1985 Zoological Expeditions to the Krakataus. The geological history, history of human habitation, climate, morphology and vegetation of the archipelago are outlined. Previous zoological expeditions are noted, and the coverage and methods used in the 1984 and 1985 expeditions are provided. The biogeographical significance of the archipelago for studies of ecosystem succession, colonization and island biogeography is briefly discussed.