An Introduction to Conservation Biology

by Sher, Anna; González-Sargas, Eduardo

• ISBN13: 9780197762752
• ISBN10: 0197762751
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780197763537
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2026-01-23
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• More Book Details

Summary

An Introduction to Conservation Biology, fourth edition, is the only textbook designed for both biology majors, and non-science majors, offering current perspectives on urgent topics such as sustainable development, global change, and species conservation, ensuring broad accessibility and relevance across disciplines.

The content is organized around key themes: the value of biological diversity, threats to biodiversity, conservation at the species and population levels, ecosystem protection and restoration, and sustainable development, providing a comprehensive framework for teaching core concepts. Each chapter features full-color illustrations and diverse examples from recent literature, bringing complex ideas to life and enhancing student engagement. Chapters begin with foundational conservation principles and conclude with summaries, annotated reading lists, and discussion questions, supporting structured learning and facilitating classroom discussion and independent study. The authors emphasize the active role of scientists, communities, organizations, and governments in protecting biodiversity while meeting human needs, encouraging students to view conservation as a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort.

The fourth edition includes over 100 new examples and 630 updated citations—ensuring students interact with the most current research and conservation practices. Interactive figure walkthroughs and full-color visuals throughout the text improve comprehension, supporting diverse learning styles and reinforcing key concepts. Oxford Insight courseware, available with this edition, includes active learning modules, self-assessments, author videos, chapter quizzes, and performance analytics, enhancing student engagement and giving instructors tools to monitor and improve learning outcomes.

Author Biography

Anna A. Sher is a Professor of Biology at the University of Denver, where she has taught conservation biology since 2003. She held a joint position as the Director of Research and Conservation at Denver Botanic Gardens from 2003-2010. Dr. Sher has published books and articles for academic, trade, and popular audiences on various topics within conservation biology, including restoration ecology, rare plant conservation, and climate change. She is one of the foremost experts on the ecology of invasive Tamarix trees and was the lead editor of the book Tamarix: A Case Study of Ecological Change in the American West (Oxford University Press, 2013). She is also first author of the textbook Ecology: Concepts and Applications, 9th Ed. (McGraw-Hill Education). Dr. Sher received her Ph.D. in Biology at the University of New Mexico in 1998 and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Davis and as a Fulbright Scholar in Israel. Dr. Sher also led scientific study-abroad programs in East Africa, and has been a visiting scholar at the University of Otago in New Zealand. She is an advocate for social justice and is currently leading a campus-wide coalition to support women and increase diversity in STEM academic professions. She and her wife and son live, work, and play in Denver, Colorado.

Eduardo González-Sargas is a Research Scientist at Colorado State University, where he studies riparian and riverine ecosystems, with a particular focus on invasive species management and restoration. He earned his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Alcalá (Spain) in 2010 and has held research positions across Europe and North America, including postdoctoral fellowships in France, Canada, and the United States. Trained as a community ecologist, his research spans topics in river ecology, wetland restoration, and the ecological impacts of environmental change. He has also contributed to discussions on the socioeconomic dimensions of conservation, including ecosystem service valuation and science-practice integration in invasive species management. Dr. González-Sargas's work is highly applied, aimed at informing conservation practices through adaptive management. Much of his recent research has centered on the ecological effects of biocontrol, active revegetation, and flooding in managing Tamarix invasions in dryland rivers. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to previous editions of this textbook as a contractor. He joins as a coauthor for the first time in this 4th edition. Eduardo lives with his family in Littleton, Colorado, where he enjoys hiking and is an avid tennis player.

Table of Contents

1 Defining Conservation Biology
1.1 The New Science of Conservation Biology
The Roots of Conservation Biology
A New Science Is Born
The Interdisciplinary Approach: A Case Study with Sea Turtles
1.2 The Organizational Values of Conservation Biology
1.3 Looking to the Future
Summary
2 What Is Biodiversity?
2.1 Species Diversity
What Is a Species?
Measuring Species Diversity
2.2 Genetic Diversity
How Does Genetic Diversity Arise?
Measuring Genetic Diversity
2.3 Ecosystem Diversity
What Are Communities and Ecosystems?
Species Interactions Within Ecosystems
Trophic Levels
Food Chains and Food Webs
Keystone Species and Resources
Ecosystem Dynamics
2.4 Biodiversity Worldwide
How Many Species Exist Worldwide?
Where Is the World's Biodiversity Found?
The Distribution of Species
Summary
3 The Value of Biodiversity
3.1 Ecological and Environmental Economics
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Financing Conservation
What Are Species Worth?
Ecosystem Services
3.2 Use Values
Direct Use Values
Consumptive Use Value
Productive Use Value
Indirect Use Values
Ecosystem Productivity
Water and Soil Protection
Climate Regulation
Species Relationships and Environmental Monitors
Amenity Value
Educational and Scientific Value
3.3 The Long-Term View: Option Value
3.4 Existence Value
3.5 Environmental Ethics
Ethical Values of Biodiversity
Deep Ecology
Summary
4 Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Change
4.1 Human Population Growth and Its Impact
4.2 Habitat Destruction
Tropical Rain Forests
Other Threatened Habitats
Desertification
4.3 Habitat Fragmentation
Threats Posed by Habitat Fragmentation
Edge Effects
4.4 Environmental Degradation and Pollution
Pesticide Pollution
Water Pollution
Air Pollution
4.5 A Concluding Remark and Reason for Hope
Summary
5 Climate Change and Other Threats to Biodiversity
5.1 Global Climate Change
The Relationship Between Carbon and Temperature
Cascading Effects of Increased Temperature
Ocean Acidification, Warming, and Rising Sea Level
Shifting Species Ranges and Other Impacts
5.2 Overexploitation
International Wildlife Trade
Commercial Harvesting
5.3 Invasive Species
Threats Posed by Invasive Species
Invasive Species on Oceanic Islands
Invasive Species in Aquatic Habitats
The Ability of Species to Become Invasive
Control of Invasive Species
Genetically Modified Organisms and Conservation Biology
5.4 Disease
5.5 A Concluding Remark
Summary
6 Extinction Risk
6.1 The Meaning of "Extinct"
The Current, Human-Caused Mass Extinction
Extinction Rates in Aquatic Environments
6.2 Measuring Extinction
Background Extinction Rates
Extinction Rate Predictions and the Island Biogeography Model
Extinction Rates and Habitat Loss
6.3 Vulnerability to Extinction
6.4 Problems of Small Populations
Loss of Genetic Diversity
Consequences of Reduced Genetic Diversity
Factors That Determine Effective Population Size
The Impact of Stochasticity
The Extinction Vortex
Summary
7 Conserving Populations and Species
7.1 Applied Population Biology
Researching Existing Information
New Data Through Fieldwork
Population Viability Analysis
Minimum Viable Population
Metapopulations
Long-Term Monitoring
7.2 Conservation Categories
7.3 Prioritization: What Should Be Protected?
The Species Approach
The Ecosystem Approach
The Wilderness Approach
The Hotspot Approach
7.4 Legal Protection of Species
National Laws
International Agreements
Summary
8 Establishing New Populations and Ex Situ Conservation
8.1 Establishing and Reinforcing Populations
Special Considerations for Animal Programs
Behavioral Ecology of Released Animals
Establishing Plant Populations
The Status of New Populations
8.2 Ex Situ Conservation Strategies
Zoos
Aquariums
Botanical Gardens
Seed Banks
8.3 Can Technology Bring Back Extinct Species?
Summary
9 Protected Areas
9.1 Establishment and Classification of Protected Areas
Marine Protected Areas
The Effectiveness of Protected Areas
Measuring Effectiveness: Gap Analysis
9.2 Designing Protected Areas
Protected Area Size and Characteristics
9.3 Networks of Protected Areas
Habitat Corridors
9.4 Landscape Ecology and Park Design
9.5 Managing Protected Areas
Managing Sites
Monitoring Sites
Management and People
Zoning as a Solution to Conflicting Demands
Biosphere Reserves
9.6 Challenges to Protected Area Management
Poaching
Trophy Hunting
Human-Animal Conflict
Degradation
Climate Change
Funding and Personnel
Summary
10 Conservation Outside Protected Areas
10.1 The Value of Unprotected Habitat
Military Land
Unprotected Ecosystems
Land That Is Undesirable to Humans
Private Land
10.2 Conservation in Urban and Other Human-Dominated Areas
Urban Areas
Other Human-Dominated Landscapes
10.3 Ecosystem Management
10.4 Working with Local People
In Situ Agricultural Conservation
Extractive Reserves
Community-Based Initiatives
Payments for Ecosystem Services
Evaluating Conservation Initiatives That Involve Traditional Societies
10.5 Case Studies: Namibia and Kenya
Summary
11 Restoration Ecology
11.1 Where to Start?
11.2 Restoration in Urban Areas
11.3 Restoration Using Animals
11.4 Moving Targets of Restoration
11.5 Restoration of Some Major Communities
Wetlands
Aquatic Systems
Grasslands
Tropical Dry Forest in Costa Rica
11.6 The Future of Restoration Ecology
Summary
12 Sustainable Development
12.1 Sustainable Development at the Local Level
Local and Regional Conservation Regulations
Land Trusts and Related Strategies
Enforcement and Public Benefits
12.2 Conservation at the National Level
12.3 International Approaches to Sustainable Development
International Earth Summits
International Agreements That Protect Habitat
12.4 Funding for Conservation
International Assistance
Other Sources of Funding
How Effective Is Conservation Funding in Achieving Sustainability Goals?
12.5 Noneconomic Aspects of Sustainability
12.6 Degrowth as a New Way to Approach Sustainable Development
Summary
13 An Agenda for the Future
13.1 Ongoing Problems and Possible Solutions
13.2 The Role of Conservation Biologists
Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence
Achieving the Agenda
Summary
Appendix
Glossary
Credits
References
Index