Biodiversity: An Introduction / Edition 2

by Kevin J. Gaston, John I. Spicer

Overview

This concise introductory text provides a complete overview of biodiversity - what it is, how it arose, its distribution, why it is important, human impact upon it, and what should be done to maintain it.

• Timely overview of the serious attempts made to quantify and describe biodiversity in a scientific way
• Acts as an easy entry point into the primary literature
• Provides real-world examples of key issues, including illustrations of major temporal and spatial patterns in biodiversity
• Designed primarily with undergraduate students and course lecturers in mind, it will also be of interest to anyone who requires an overview of, and entry to, the vast literature on these topics.
• All the figures included in the book are downloadable from the Blackwell Publishing website

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781405118576
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	02/13/2004
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.74(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Kevin J. Gaston is Professor of Biodiversity and Conservation at the University of Sheffield. He has broad research interests in the fields of biodiversity, macroecology and conservation biology.

John I. Spicer is a Reader in Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth. His research interests range from the ecophysiology of marine animals through to the functional biodiversity of marine systems.

Table of Contents

Preface.

Acknowledgements.

1. What Is Biodiversity?.

Marion Island.

What Is Biodiversity?.

Elements Of Biodiversity.

Measuring Biodiversity.

Summary.

Further Reading.

2. Biodiversity Through Time:.

Introduction.

Sources Of Information.

A Brief History Of Biodiversity.

How Many Extant Species Are There?.

Summary.

Further Reading.

3. Mapping Biodiversity:.

Introduction.

Issues Of Scale.

Extremes Of High And Low Diversity.

Gradients In Biodiversity.

Congruence.

Summary.

Further Reading.

4. Does Biodiversity Matter?.

Introduction.

Direct Use Value.

Indirect Use Value.

Non-Use Value.

Summary.

Further Reading.

5. Human Impacts:.

Introduction.

Species Extinctions.

Populations, Individuals And Genetic Diversity.

Threats To Biodiversity.

The Scale Of The Human Enterprise.

Summary.

Further Reading.

6. Maintaining Biodiversity:.

Introduction.

Objectives Of The Convention.

General Measures For Conservation And Sustainable Use.

Identification And Monitoring.

In-Situ Conservation.

Ex-Situ Conservation.

Sustainable Use Of Components Of Biological Diversity.

Incentive Measures.

Reponses To The Convention.

Summary.

Further Reading.

References.

Index

Editorial Reviews

".this excellent little book packs a big punch due to the well chosen examples and case studies, and its engaging, concise and readable style." Biological Conservation

"...the authors have amassed an excellent collection of literature related to biodiversity and conservation and a numberof good examples to illustrate the threats facing biodiversity and its potential loss. This book is an excellent basic introduction to general biodiversity fo students and teachers, as well as generalists and amateurs interested in exploring the fundamentals, uses, threats and conservation of biodiversity." The Glasgow Naturalist, July 2005

From the Publisher

A wide overview of the topic of biological diversity<-->how it arose, where it occurs, why it is important, and what should be done to maintain it. Incorporated into the undergraduate text are exercises designed to encourage active learning and promote debate of some of the more controversial issues. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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