Fundamentals of Conservation Biology (eBook)

Malcolm Hunter??is the Libra Professor of Conservation Biology and Professor of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Maine, Orono. He is also the former President of the Society for Conservation Biology. James Gibbs??is Associate Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology at the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry. James Gibbs, Malcolm Hunter, and Eleanor Sterling are the authors of the forthcoming new edition of Problem Solving in Conservation Biology (Blackwell, 2007).

Full Contents vii

List of Case Studies xi

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xvi

PART I Biodiversity and Its Importance 3

1 Conservation and Conservation Biology 4

2 What Is Biodiversity? 22

3 Species Diversity 34

4 Ecosystem Diversity 65

5 Genetic Diversity 86

PART II Threats to Biodiversity 113

6 Mass Extinctions and Global Change 114

7 Extinction Processes 130

8 Ecosystem Degradation and Loss 150

9 Overexploitation 184

10 Invasive Exotics 205

PART III Maintaining Biodiversity 225

11 Protecting Ecosystems 226

12 Managing Ecosystems 252

13 Managing Populations 281

14 Zoos and Gardens 310

PART IV The Human Factors 329

15 Social Factors 330

16 Economics 346

17 Politics and Action 372

Epilogue 392

Glossary 394

Literature Cited and Author Index 405

Species Index 476

Subject Index 486

"Drawing on their experience in teaching and instructive writing,
the authors provide an accessible, well-organized and updated
review suitable for undergraduate and graduate students in various
biological and environmental sciences. The book will also serve as
a reference work for researchers, and the expressive and lively
prose, reflecting the dedication of the authors, will hopefully
inspire not only future conservation biologists but anyone who is
interested in the richness of life surrounding us."
(Écoscience, Volume 15, Issue 4, 2008)

"One could imagine a whole course being based on this book as it
has so much to offer." (Journal of Biological Education)

"This new edition continues to be an excellent choice for
undergraduate courses in conservation biology - notable for its
well-honed organization of concepts and its clear
prose."

-Professor Thomas L Fleischner, Prescott
College



"This is an excellent text that provides a clear, lucid, and
comprehensive summary of approaches used in biological
conservation. It should inspire a new generation of conservation
biologists."

-Tim Coulson, Imperial College, London

"My goal is to expose the concepts of conservation biology to
the broadest possible student audience. For its combination of
accessible writing with rigorous, updated content, Fundamentals
of Conservation Biology is matchless."

-Professor Travis Knowles, Francis Marion
University

"Hunter and Gibbs have produced an excellent text, one that uses
an array of concrete examples, ethical principles, and theory to
challenge and engage students. Fundamentals of Conservation
Biology should remain one of the standards in the field for
years to come."

-Dr Christopher Norment, SUNY College at
Brockport

"Hunter and Gibbs comprehensively present conservation biology
with both clarity and charm. It includes excellent examples and
case studies, current issues and topics, and recent references that
will certainly appeal to faculty and students in the conservation
sciences."

-Dr Jamie M Kneitel, California State University,
Sacramento