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An Introduction to Conservation Biology

Third Edition

Anna Sher

Publication Date - 16 February 2022

ISBN: 9780197564370

528 pages
Paperback
7 1/4 x 9 1/4 inches

In Stock

Now fully revised and updated, An Introduction to Conservation Biology is well suited for a wide range of undergraduate courses and covers the most recent conservation biology events in the news--such as global climate change and sustainable development. This new edition engages students in the world of conservation biology through current content, and self-assessment in a new enhanced e-Book.

Description

An Introduction to Conservation Biology is the only text designed for both aspiring conservation biologists and non-majors who are interested in this topical field, providing up-to-date perspectives on high-profile issues such as sustainable development, global warming, and strategies to save species on the verge of extinction. The book focuses successively on biological diversity and its value; threats to biological diversity; conservation at the population and species levels; protecting, managing and restoring ecosystems; and sustainable development. Each chapter is beautifully illustrated in full color with diverse examples from the current literature. Chapters begin with guiding conservation biology principles and end with study aids such as summaries, an annotated list of suggested readings, and discussion questions. Throughout, the authors maintain a focus on the active role that scientists, local people, conservation organizations, government, and the general public play in protecting biodiversity, even while providing for human needs.

New to this Edition

  • Over 240 changes to text and tables, 275 new citations, and new figures in every chapter
  • Increased representation of women and BIPOC in the textbook
  • Significant edits and additions regarding the roles and experiences of Indigenous people in the field of conservation biology
  • Incorporation of several new discoveries and developments from the past two years, including the latest understanding of the causes of the Permian extinction and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) and its principles to guide restoration
  • Additional discussion on the political aspects of climate change and of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and the addition of a new “Global Change Connection” icon to highlight ways we are changing the Earth
  • An elaboration of the concept of the types of biodiversity, including a refinement of the definition of species diversity, with additional examples
  • A reorganization of the chapter on restoration ecology
  • Upgraded digital resources, including a video guide consisting of a curated list of freely accessible videos and an enhanced E-book with self-assessment questions after every chapter subheading

Features

  • Each chapter begins with general ideas and principles, beautifully illustrated in full color with diverse examples from the current literature.
  • Chapters end with summaries, an annotated list of suggested readings, discussion questions, and extensive summary statements in the text margins, as study aids.
  • Throughout, the authors maintain a focus on the active role that scientists, local people, conservation organizations, government, and the general public play in protecting biodiversity, even while providing for human needs.
  • Many full-color figures illustrating examples and important concepts with call out boxes to assist with student comprehension.

About the Author(s)

Anna Sher is a full professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Denver, where she has been faculty since 2003. She was a double major in Biology and Art at Earlham College, where she has also taught ecology as a Howard Hughes Fellow, visiting lecturer, and as the co-leader of the Earlham Study Abroad Kenya Program in 1992, 2000, and 2002. She received her PhD from the University of New Mexico, where she also taught botany as a visiting lecturer. As a postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Sher was awarded a Fulbright postdoctoral research fellowship to conduct research on plant interactions in Israel at Ben Gurion University's Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, and she also studied the ecology of an invasive grass at the University of California, Davis.

Table of Contents

    Chapter 1 Defining Conservation Biology
    Chapter 2 What Is Biodiversity?
    Chapter 3 The Value of Biodiversity
    Chapter 4 Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Change
    Chapter 5 Climate Change and Other Threats to Biodiversity
    Chapter 6 Extinction Risk
    Chapter 7 Conserving Populations and Species
    Chapter 8 Establishing New Populations and Ex Situ Conservation
    Chapter 9 Protected Areas
    Chapter 10 Conservation Outside Protected Areas
    Chapter 11 Restoration Ecology
    Chapter 12 The Challenges of Sustainable Development
    Chapter 13 An Agenda for the Future

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