Habitat management is commonly used to maintain and enhance the biological interest of many areas of semi-natural habitat where natural processes no longer create suitable conditions for desired species. Habitat restoration and creation is increasingly being used to increase the extent of ecologically important habitats in order to mitigate the impacts of human development. The modification of past management techniques and the introduction of new ones can provide additional benefits.
Habitat Management for Conservation is a practical handbook which describes the general principles and techniques of managing and creating habitats throughout the world. The opening sections describe the general principles of managing land for biodiversity conservation. They include decision-making, mitigating the damaging effects of climate change, and monitoring the success of management. These are followed by a series of chapters which describe how to manage specific habitats: grasslands, shrublands, forests, scrub, freshwater wetlands, coastal habitats, arable land, urban areas and gardens. For each of these habitats Habitat Management for Conservation discusses the main factors influencing their value for wildlife, highlights the key decisions that need to be made, and describes and compares the effects of individual management techniques.
1: Introduction
2: Philosophies of habitat management
3: Setting objectives and monitoring
4: General techniques and considerations
5: Dry grasslands
6: Dwarf-shrub habitats and shrublands
7: Forests, woodlands and scrub
8: Freshwater wetlands and waterbodies
9: Coastal habitats
10: Arable land
11: Urban areas and gardens
References
"I can see this book being used widely as an initial source of information on management tools available in conservation. It is well produced, and merits inclusion as recommended reading in undergraduate environmental management courses, as well as for use by individual conservation practitioners."
- Journal of Insect Conservation, 2008