Essentials of Conservation Biology

The current widespread loss of species, genetic variability, and even entire biological communities has caused serious concern within the scientific community and among the general public. The new multidisciplinary science, conservation biology, has developed to address this crisis, and both research activity and student interest in conservation biology have rapidly expanded during the last fifteen years. The excitement of this field is highlighted by 2001–2002 being designated as the International Biodiversity Year by DIVERSITAS, a scientific body associated with the United Nations. Richard Primack's Essentials of Conservation Biology was the first textbook in this field, and continues to be widely used in undergraduate courses. Essentials of Conservation Biology, Third Edition, is an updated and improved version of the popular first and second editions, and includes current examples, study questions, and the latest literature.

Essentials of Conservation Biology combines theory and applied and basic research to explain the connections between conservation biology and environmental economics, ethics, law, and the social sciences. This new edition stresses the need for theory, research, and an interdisciplinary approach in solving conservation problems. A major theme throughout the book is the active role that local people, the general public, conservation organizations, and governments can play in protecting biological diversity. An additional theme is sustainable development: providing for human needs in a way that does not harm biological diversity. Dr. Primack presents positive suggestions throughout the book to show the reader how threats to species are being dealt with, and conveys an enthusiasm for the exciting new developments in the field of conservation biology.

Essentials of Conservation Biology, Third Edition, is divided into 6 parts and contains 22 chapters. Each chapter begins with general ideas and principles, which are illustrated with choice examples from the current literature. The most instructive examples are discussed in boxes highlighting species and issues of particular significance, such as the decline of songbird populations, conservation programs on military reservations, the pressures for development in wildlife refuges, sea turtle conservation, and the restoration of river ecosystems. Chapters end with summaries, an annotated list of suggested readings, and discussion questions. The first three chapters (Part I) define biological diversity and give general background information in ecology, evolution, and biogeography. Part II outlines the economic and ethical arguments for preserving biological diversity. Part III describes the rapid loss of species currently occurring, and the major threats to species. Part IV discusses the problems faced by small populations in the wild and in captivity, and the information needed to protect species. Part V reviews the range of strategies for protecting biological diversity in the wild, both inside and outside protected areas. The establishment, design, and management of protected areas are emphasized. Part VI describes the legal, financial, and political mechanisms that exist for the protection of biological diversity at local, national, and international levels. The book closes with a strong agenda describing the changes needed to protect biological diversity, and the roles that conservation biologists need to play to make those changes a reality.

Essentials of Conservation Biology, Third Edition, is beautifully illustrated and is written in clear, non-technical language. It is suitable for undergraduate biology students, as well as students in other disciplines. The book is particularly appropriate for students who do not speak English as a first language. The book's broad, up-to-date coverage and its extensive bibliography with over 1,000 references also make it valuable to graduate students and researchers.

I. MAJOR ISSUES THAT DEFINE THE DISCIPLINE

1. What Is Conservation Biology?

Concern for Biological Diversity
Origins of Conservation Biology
Current Status of Conservation Biology
Statement of Ethical Principles
Summary

Boxes: Sea Turtle Conservation in Brazil: A Multi-disciplinary Approach

2. What is Biological Diversity?

What Is a Species?
The Origin of New Species
Genetic Diversity
Community and Ecosystem Diversity
Keystone Species
Measuring Biological Diversity

Boxes: The Names of Species and Their Classification
Flying Foxes: The Decline of Keystone Species May Lead to Massive Extinctions
Kelp Forests and Sea Otters: The Shaping of an Ocean Ecosystem

3. Where is the World's Biological Diversity Found?

Why There Are So Many Species in the Tropics
How Many Species Exist Worldwide?
Recently Discovered Communities
The Need for More Taxonomists

Boxes: Conserving a World Unknown: Hydrothermal Vents and Oil Plumes

II. VALUING BIODIVERSITY

4. The Value of Biological Diversity

Ecological Economics
New Approaches
Direct Use Values

Boxes: How Much is a Species Worth?
Cassava Mealybugs: A Biocontrol Success Story

5. Indirect Economic Values

Ecosystem Services
Educational and Scientific Value
Option Value
Existence Value
Concluding Comments on Ecological Economics

Boxes: The Decline of Fungi in the Forests: A Premonition of Disaster
Industry, Ecology, and Ecotourism in Yellowstone Park

6. Ethical Values

A Duty to Protect Biological Diversity
Deep Ecology

Boxes: Mighty Multitudes of Microbes: Not to be Ignored!
The World's Least Favorite Animal Needs Assistance: The Decline of Sharks

III. THREATS TO BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

7. Extinction

Past Rates of Extinction
Endemic Species
Human-Caused Extinctions
Island Biogeography and Modern Extinction Rates
Local Extinctions

Boxes: Introduced Species and Extinctions in Island Ecosystems
Conservation of Endemic Fish in Lake Victoria

8. Vulnerability to Extinction

Which Species Are Most Vulnerable?
Conservation Categories
Natural Heritage Data Centers

Boxes: Crisis after Crisis for the Black-Footed Ferret
Why Are Frogs and Toads Croaking?

9. Habitat Destruction, Fragmentation, and Degradation

Threatened Rain Forests
Other Threatened Habitats
Desertification
Habitat Fragmentation and Species Mobility
Habitat Degradation and Pollution
Global Climate Change

Boxes: Conserving Madagascar's Forests: A Last-Ditch Effort?
Songbird Decline in North America: Is the Sky Really Falling?
Pesticides and Raptors: Sentinel Species Warn of Unsuspected Dangers

10. Overexploitation, Invasive Species, and Disease

Overexploitation
Invasive Species
Disease
Implications of Invasive Species and Diseases for Human Health

Boxes: Endangered Whales: Making a Comeback?

IV. CONSERVATION AT THE POPULATION AND SPECIES LEVELS

11. Problems of Small Populations

Loss of Genetic Variability
Demographic Variation
Environmental Variation and Catastrophes

Boxes: Rhino Species in Asia and Africa: Genetic Diversity and Habitat Loss

12. Applied Population Biology

Gathering Natural History Information
Monitoring Populations
Population Viability Analysis
The Metapopulation
Long-term Monitoring of Species and Ecosystems

Boxes: The 'Trimates': Three Primatologists Who Became Activists

13. Establishing New Populations

Considerations for Successful Programs
Behaviors of Released Animals
Establishing New Plant Populations
Reestablishment Programs and the Law

Boxes: Wolves Returning to a Cold Welcome
The Golden Lion Tamarin
The California Condor Returns

14. Ex Situ Conservation Strategies

Zoos
Aquariums
Botanical Gardens and Arboreta
Seed Banks
Seed Sampling Strategies for Wild Species
Conserving the Genetic Resources of Trees

Boxes: Seed Savers and Crop Varieties
Love Alone Cannot Save the Giant Panda

V. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

15. Establishing Protected Areas

The IUCN System of Classification
Protected Areas
Establishing Priorities
Gap Analysis

Boxes: Ecologists and Real Estate Agents Mingle at The Nature Conservancy

16. Designing Protected Areas

Reserve Size
Effective Preservation of Species
Linking Reserves with Habitat Corridors
Landscape Ecology and Park Design

Boxes: National Wildlife Refuges

17. Managing Protected Areas

Identifying and Dealing with Threats to Protected Areas
Park Management and People
Park Management Resources

Boxes: Conservation of American Cranes: Differences between Similar Species
Habitat Management: The Key to Success in Conservation of Butterflies

18. Outside Protected Areas

The Value of Unprotected Habitat
Multiple-Use Habitat
Ecosystem Management
African Wildlife Outside Parks

Boxes: Oh give me a Home, Where the Military Roam and the Deer and the Antelope Play . . . .

19. Restoration Ecology

Lakes
Prairies
Tropical Dry Forest in Costa Rica
The Fine Points of Restoration Ecology

Boxes: Easier Said than Done: Restoring the Kissimmee River

VI. CONSERVATION AND HUMAN SOCIETIES

20. Conservation and Sustainable Development at the Local and National Levels

Local Conservation
Land Trusts
National Legislatures
The U. S. Endangered Species Act of 1973
Traditional Societies and Biological Diversity

Boxes: People-Friendly Conservation in the Hills of Southwest India

21. An International Approach to Sustainable Development

Agreements for Protection of Species
Agreements for Habitat Protection
Earth Summit 1992
Funding for Conservation
International Development Banks and Ecosystem Damage
Changing the Funding Process

Boxes: The War for the Elephant: Is the Armistice Over?
How Much Will the Three Gorges Dam Really Cost?

22. An Agenda for the Future

Boxes: Environmental Activism Confronts the Opposition
Durrell and Cousteau: Two Who Made a Difference