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Biodiversity: Today the world faces the prospect of a devastating mass extinction, as species
disappear at a rate that is many times faster than at any previous time in the earth's
history. Finding ways to preserve the planet's rich variety of species is the
challenge being taken up by conservation biologists, scientists who use their knowledge of
ecology, genetics, and population dynamics to develop strategies for conserving
biodiversity based on scientific principles.
An excellent compendium of articles revolving around the issue of tropical forest habitat fragmentation and its effects on the biology of the planet. Thirty-three contributions cover the scale and economics of tropical deforestation; physical processes and edge effects; tropical forest faunas; plants and plant-animal interactions; restoration and management of fragmented landscapes; site selection and design of tropical nature reserves; and summary and new perspectives. Book News, Inc. In this pioneering application of island biogeography theory, Harris presents an alternative to current practices of timber harvesting. "Harris pulls together many threads of biological thinking about islands and their effect on plant and animal survival and evolution. He weaves these threads into a model for managing forest lands in a manner that might serve both our short-term economic and social needs.
This book applies principles of climate and geography to describe and characterize the major ecological zones of the Earth - continental as well as oceanic. Robert Bailey's system for classifying ecoregions has had a major influence on the United States Government's decision to adopt an ecosystem-based approach to managing public land, and has been adopted by major organizations such as the Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy. Thirty-three essay-style contributions discuss scientific needs, application strategies and techniques, and the shape and content of a new conservation science that takes into account the changes in the fundamental science of ecology and the real world in which it must be applied. The collection provides a framework for future research and the development of stronger links between ecology and public policy, as well as case studies ranging from freshwater to arid, and from subtropical to boreal. Book News, Inc.
Wilson (entomology, Harvard U., and winner of two Pulitzer Prizes) conducts a tour through time, tracing the processes that create new species in bursts of adaptive radiation. He identifies crises in ecosystems around the globe and discusses diverse examples, making a plea for specific actions that will enhance rather than diminish the quality of life on earth. Includes b&w illustrations throughout, 16 pages of color plates, and a glossary. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. Edward O. Wilson -- Harvard University professor, winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, champion of biodiversity -- is arguably one of the most important thinkers of the Twentieth century. In this autobiography, Wilson describes for the first time both his growth as a scientist and the evolution of the science he has helped define. "One of the greatest scientific autobiographies ever written." --Alan Lightman, author of Einstein's Dreams A lively examination of the current state of endangered species management, exploring the economics of different conservation techniques and the practical possibilities for using the environment while sustaining it. Excellent color photographs and maps. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR
Written for conservation biologists, lawmakers, policy planners, business people, and students, this thorough, detailed text discusses the concept of biodiversity as both more subtle and more difficult to employ in practical situations than is commonly appreciated and explores the role that humans play in creating practical definitions of the term. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR
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