Biodiversity And Conservation

by Jeffries,Michael J.

• ISBN13: 9780415342995
• ISBN10: 0415342996
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-01-20
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This revised second edition provides an introductory guide through the maze of interdisciplinary themes that comprise 'biodiversity.' It combines biological sciences with insights into the origins, variety and distribution of biodiversity, analysis of the social and political context, and the threats to, and opportunities for, the survival of natural systems.Whilst retaining its existing structure, this updated new edition reflects advances that have demonstrated the importance of living systems as drivers of environmental services vital to human health and security. The final chapter has been revised to tackle more explicitly the contrasting approaches to conservation, and throughout, the book has been updated to reflect new research and developments.With highly original international case studies and ample illustrations to explain difficult topics clearly, this excellent book remains the only introductory text which brings together the full range of theory and practice of 'biodiversity' and 'conservation'.

Author Biography

Michael J. Jeffries is Senior Lecturer in Ecology at Northumbria University.

Table of Contents

Series editors' preface	vii
List of plates	ix
List of figures	xi
List of tables	xiii
List of boxes	xv
Author's Preface	xvii
The Rio Earth Summit	1	(1)
The junket in Jo'burg	2	(3)
Biodiversity: from concept to crisis	5	(39)
The road to Rio: the conceptual history of biodiversity	5	(14)
Biodiversity through time	19	(18)
The current crisis	37	(5)
Summary	42	(1)
Discussion questions	42	(1)
Further reading	42	(2)
The creation of biodiversity	44	(38)
Evolution, ecology and the origins of confusion	44	(3)
The ecology of biodiversity	47	(22)
Ecological renaisance: emerging general rules	69	(1)
The evolution of biodiversity	70	(7)
What do all those species do? Part I: biodiversity and ecosystem function	77	(2)
What do all those species do? Part II: ecosystem integrity and ecosystem health	79	(1)
The imbalance of nature	80	(1)
Summary	80	(1)
Discussion questions	80	(1)
Further reading	81	(1)
An inventory of planet Earth	82	(45)
Types of biodiversity	83	(13)
Measuring biodiversity	96	(10)
Global biodiversity patterns	106	(18)
More things in Heaven and Earth . . .	124	(1)
Summary	125	(1)
Discussion questions	125	(1)
Further reading	125	(2)
Extinction	127	(40)
Current losses of biodiversity	127	(11)
The causes of extinction	138	(13)
Wildlife in wartime	151	(1)
Valuing biodiversity: economics for conservation	152	(12)
Conservation's targets	164	(1)
Summary	165	(1)
Discussion questions	165	(1)
Further reading	165	(2)
The conservation of biodiversity	167	(37)
Evolving concepts for biodiversity conservation	168	(6)
The legislative framework	174	(10)
Protected areas	184	(5)
Ex-situ conservation	189	(13)
Mars calling? Mu Arae beckons	202	(1)
Summary	202	(1)
Discussion questions	202	(1)
Further reading	202	(2)
Glossary	204	(9)
Further reading	213	(10)
Bibliography	223	(4)
Index	227