Wild Solutions

by Beattie, Andrew; Ehrlich, Paul

• ISBN13: 9780522851489
• ISBN10: 0522851487
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780522863987
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2013-05-24
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Summary

In this fascinating and abundantly illustrated book, two eminent ecologists explain how the millions of species living on Earthsome microscopic, some obscure, many threatenednot only help keep us alive but also hold possibilities for previously unimagined products, medicines, and even industries. In an Afterword written especially for this edition, the authors consider the impact of two revolutions now taking place: the increasing rate at which we are discovering new species because of new technology available to us and the accelerating rate at which we are losing biological diversity. Also reviewed and summarized are many "new" wild solutions, such as innovative approaches to the discovery of pharmaceuticals, the "lotus effect," the ever-growing importance of bacteria, molecular biomimetics, ecological restoration, and robotics. "An easy read, generating a momentum of energy and excitement about the potential of the natural world to solve many of the problems that face us."E. J. Milner-Gulland, Nature "Must-reading for everyone."Simon A. Levin, author of Fragile Dominion: Complexity and the Commons "An engaging book clearly intended to impress upon a lay audience the practical value of biological diversity. . . . An outstanding work."Ecology "A most stimulating read for all those budding science students from secondary through graduate schools."Science Books & Films

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Exploring a little-known planet	p. 9
Basic survival	p. 39
The natural Internet	p. 52
Thirst : ecosystems and the world's water supply	p. 69
Garbage red in tooth and claw	p. 77
Natural enemies are best friends	p. 107
Naturally selected	p. 125
Miners' canaries and sentinel pigs	p. 143
Chemical engineers	p. 161
Blueprints and inspiration from the wild	p. 181
Wild medicine	p. 202
Savings and loans	p. 222
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.