Fundamentals of Conservation Biology

by Hunter, Malcolm L.; Sulzer, Andrea

• ISBN13: 9780865420298
• ISBN10: 0865420297
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-06-01
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Summary

The conservation of biodiversity is one of the most important issues facing ecologists today. In this update of the highly successful first edition, Malcolm Hunter introduces students and professionals to the fascinating and important field of conservation biology, the applied science dealing with the maintenance of the earth's biological diversity.Fundamentals of Conservation Biology 2e focuses on what can be done to maintain biodiversity through management of ecosystems and populations. Starting with a succinct look at what conservation and biodiversity really mean and progressing to more complex topics such as mass extinctions, habitat degradation and over exploitation, Hunter creates a context in which the principles of conservation biology can be readily understood. discussions of the social, political and economic aspects of conservation biology issues are interwoven throughout the text and addressed independently in their own chapters. The new edition has been thoroughly revised with hundreds of new references and web links to many of the organisations involved in conservation biology.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
PART I: BIODIVERSITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE
Conservation and Conservation Biology	5	(14)
What Is Conservation?
A Brief History of Conservation
An Overview of Conservation Ethics
What Is Conservation Biology?
A Brief History of a Young Discipline
A Model of Conservation Biology
Summary
What is Biodiversity?	19	(17)
Species, Genes, and Ecosystems
Structure and Function
Measuring Biodiversity
The Mismeasure of Biodiversity
Biodiversity and Spatial Scales
Biodiversity Verbs
Related Concepts
Clear Lake: Case Study
Summary
Species Diversity	36	(31)
What Is a Species?
How Many Species Are There?
The Intrinsic Value of Species and Their Conservation Status
The Instrumental Values of Species
The Uniqueness Value of Species
The Neem Tree: Case Study
Summary
Ecosystem Diversity	67	(21)
What Is an Ecosystem?
The Values of Ecosystems
Ecosystem Diversity and Species Diversity
Ecosystems and Landscapes
Mangrove Swamps: Case Study
Summary
Genetic Diversity	88	(31)
What Is Genetic Diversity?
The Importance of Genetic Diversity
Processes That Diminish Genetic Diversity
Cultural Diversity
The Cheetah: Case Study
Summary
PART II: THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
Mass Extinctions and Global Change	119	(19)
Extinction Episodes of the Past
The Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinctions: Case Study
The Permian Extinctions: Case Study
Estimating the Current Rate of Extinction
The Prospect of Global Climate Change
Summary
Extinction Processes	138	(25)
Why Are Some Species More Vulnerable to Extinction Than Others?
Populations
Population Viability Analysis
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot: Case Study
Summary
Ecosystem Degradation and Loss	163	(44)
Contamination
Roads, Dams, and Other Structures
Earth, Fire, Water
Deforestation
Desertification
Draining, Dredging, Damming, Etcetera
Fragmentation
Madagascar: Case Study
Summary
Overexploitation	207	(23)
The Long History of Overexploitation
Types of Exploitation
Consequences of Overexploitation
Some Final Perspectives on Exploitation
The Gulf of Maine: Case Study
Summary
Exotic Species	230	(25)
How Do Species Move?
Impacts of Exotic Species
Success Rates
Irony
Exotics in New Zealand: Case Study
Summary
PART III: MAINTAINING BIODIVERSITY
Managing Ecosystems	255	(58)
Protected Ecosystems
Modified Ecosystems
Cultivated Ecosystems
Built Ecosystems
Restoring Ecosystems
Forests of the Pacific Northwest: Case Study
Summary
Managing Populations	313	(33)
Providing Resources
Controlling Threats
Direct Manipulations
The Black Robin: Case Study
Epilogue
Summary
Zoos and Gardens	346	(20)
Changing Roles
Building Arks
The Ex Situ-In Situ Interface
Conservation of Domesticated Species
The Arabian Oryx: Case Study
Summary
Setting Priorities	366	(17)
Levels of Biodiversity
Geographic Scales
Choosing Areas
Choosing Among Multiple Criteria
Choosing Species
Choosing Nations
Choosing Tasks
The Highest Priority of All
Vietnam Conservation Areas: Case Study
Summary
PART IV: THE HUMAN FACTORS
Social Factors	383	(16)
Values Differ
Describing Values
Values Change
The Bahama Parrot: Case Study
Summary
Economics	399	(27)
The Benefits
The Costs
The Distribution of Benefits and Costs
Problems and Solutions
Butterfly Ranching: Case Study
Summary
Politics and Action	426	(15)
International Agencies
Governments
Nongovernmental Organizations
Corporations
Communities
Individuals
Rights and Responsibilities
Summary
Epilogue	441	(2)
Glossary	443	(14)
Literature Cited and Author Index	457	(68)
Species Index	525	(10)
Subject Index	535