• Biodiversity – An Introduction 2e (Paperback / softback) 9781405118576
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Biodiversity
An Introduction

Kevin J. Gaston (Author), John I. Spicer (Author)

9781405118576, Wiley

Paperback / softback, published 11 December 2003

208 pages
24.6 x 17.1 x 1.3 cm, 0.372 kg

".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

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.
  • The figures from in the book may be freely downloaded from the book website on wiley.com

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

Subject Areas: Biology, life sciences [PS]
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