Insect Diversity Conservation

by Michael J. Samways

• ISBN13: 9780521789479
• ISBN10: 0521789478
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-02-14
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This groundbreaking book is a contemporary global synthesis of the rapidly developing and important field of insect conservation biology. Insects play important roles in terrestrial ecological processes and in maintaining the world as we know it. They present particular conservation challenges, especially as a quarter face extinction within the next few decades. This textbook addresses the ethical foundation of insect conservation, and asks why should we concern ourselves with conservation of a butterfly, beetle or bug? The success of insects and their diversity, which have survived glaciers, is now facing a more formidable obstacle: the meteoric impact of humans. After addressing threats, from invasive alien plants to climate change, the book explores ways insects and their habitats are prioritised, mapped, monitored and conserved. Landscape and species approaches are considered. This book is for undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and managers in conservation biology or entomology, and the wider biological and environmental sciences.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Cover picture	xi
Part I The need for insect diversity conservation	1	(56)
1 Ethical foundation for insect conservation	3	(13)
1.1 Introduction	4	(1)
1.2 Environmental philosophy and insect conservation	4	(5)
1.3 Insect utility	9	(2)
1.4 Insect rights and species conservation	11	(2)
1.5 Spiritual conceptions	13	(2)
1.6 Summary	15	(1)
2 The special case of insects in conservation biology	16	(23)
2.1 Introduction	16	(2)
2.2 Insect radiation	18	(4)
2.3 Bauplan, flight and insect conservation	22	(1)
2.4 Polymorphisms	23	(2)
2.5 Insect diversity and the landscape	25	(3)
2.6 Global insect species richness	28	(1)
2.7 Survival in prehistorical times	29	(3)
2.8 Current extinctions	32	(1)
2.9 The taxonomic challenge	33	(2)
2.10 The perception challenge	35	(1)
2.11 Pest insects and population crashes	36	(1)
2.12 Summary	37	(2)
3 Insects and the conservation of ecosystem processes	39	(18)
3.1 Introduction	39	(1)
3.2 Insects as keystone organisms	40	(1)
3.3 Insect ecosystem engineers and soil modifiers	41	(1)
3.4 Insects as food for other animals	42	(1)
3.5 Insect dispersal	42	(3)
3.6 Insect pollinators	45	(1)
3.7 Insect herbivores	46	(3)
3.8 Insect parasitoids and predators	49	(1)
3.9 Insects and disease	50	(2)
3.10 Ecosystem diversity and insect diversity	52	(1)
3.11 Insects and the naturally changing landscape	52	(1)
3.12 Significance of ecological connectance	53	(1)
3.13 Summary	54	(3)
Part II Insects and the changing world	57	(96)
4 Degradation and fragmentation of ecosystems	59	(30)
4.1 Introduction	59	(2)
4.2 Environmental contamination	61	(2)
4.3 Pesticides	63	(2)
4.4 Agriculture and afforestation	65	(3)
4.5 Urbanization and impact of structures	68	(5)
4.6 Deforestation and logging	73	(5)
4.7 Transformation of grasslands, savanna and Mediterranean-type ecosystems	78	(2)
4.8 Deterioration and loss of aquatic systems	80	(4)
4.9 Pressure on special systems	84	(2)
4.10 Overcollecting	86	(1)
4.11 Summary	87	(2)
5 Responses by insects to the changing land mosaic	89	(24)
5.1 Introduction	89	(1)
5.2 Behavioural responses	90	(8)
5.3 Population response and local extinction	98	(2)
5.4 Community response and long-term prognosis	100	(7)
5.5 Genetic changes	107	(3)
5.6 Summary	110	(3)
6 Threats from invasive aliens, biological control and genetic engineering	113	(23)
6.1 Introduction	114	(1)
6.2 Invasive alien plants	114	(4)
6.3 Invasive alien vertebrates	118	(1)
6.4 Invasive alien insects	119	(5)
6.5 Risks of introducing insect natural enemies	124	(3)
6.6 Risks of introducing insect pathogens	127	(3)
6.7 Risks of genetic engineering	130	(4)
6.8 Summary	134	(2)
7 Global climate change and synergistic impacts	136	(17)
7.1 Introduction	136	(1)
7.2 Ecosystem response to global climate change	137	(6)
7.3 Changes in species' geographical ranges	143	(2)
7.4 Synergisms and future perspectives	145	(4)
7.5 Summary	149	(4)
Part III Conserving and managing insect diversity	153	(113)
8 Methods, approaches and prioritization criteria	155	(25)
8.1 Introduction	155	(1)
8.2 Towards an 'Earth ethic'	156	(2)
8.3 Identifying geographical areas for conservation action	158	(4)
8.4 Systematic reserve selection	162	(1)
8.5 Use of surrogates in conservation planning	163	(4)
8.6 Coarse and fine filters	167	(6)
8.7 Plant surrogates	173	(1)
8.8 Animal surrogates	174	(1)
8.9 Phylogenetic considerations	175	(1)
8.10 Are 'umbrella' and 'flagship' species of value in conservation planning?	176	(2)
8.11 Summary	178	(2)
9 Mapping, inventorying and monitoring	180	(26)
9.1 Introduction	180	(1)
9.2 Mapping	181	(5)
9.3 Inventorying	186	(6)
9.4 Monitoring	192	(3)
9.5 Red Listing	195	(3)
9.6 Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at regional or national levels	198	(1)
9.7 Insects as bioindicators	199	(4)
9.8 Reference sites	203	(1)
9.9 Summary	203	(3)
10 Managing for insect diversity	206	(28)
10.1 Introduction	206	(1)
10.2 Importance of parks, reserves and remnant patches	207	(5)
10.3 Importance of landscape heterogeneity	212	(3)
10.4 Countryside-wide management	215	(2)
10.5 Importance of patch size relative to habitat quality	217	(5)
10.6 Simulating natural conditions and traditional practices	222	(4)
10.7 Corridors	226	(5)
10.8 Landscape management in urban areas	231	(1)
10.9 Summary	232	(2)
11 Restoration of insect diversity	234	(18)
11.1 Introduction	234	(1)
11.2 Principle of restoration triage	235	(2)
11.3 Restoration of species or processes?	237	(3)
11.4 Coarse-filter and fine-filter approaches to restoration	240	(4)
11.5 Insect gardening	244	(2)
11.6 Species-specific recovery plans	246	(4)
11.7 Summary	250	(2)
12 Conventions and social issues in insect diversity conservation	252	(14)
12.1 Introduction	252	(1)
12.2 The international arena	253	(3)
12.3 National issues	256	(1)
12.4 Overcoming the perception challenge	257	(2)
12.5 Butterfly houses and increasing conservation awareness	259	(2)
12.6 Deadstock trade	261	(1)
12.7 Butterfly farming	262	(1)
12.8 Summary	263	(3)
References	266	(50)
Index	316