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Recent developments in ecological theory point the way to a stewardship approach that promotes biocultural diversity and ecosystem resilience. In addition, the escalating pace of anthropogenic environmental change makes it clear that conservation strategies which incorporate social as well as ecological dimensions are essential. This thoroughly updated version of Conserving Living Natural Resources: In the Context of a Changing World covers a broader geographic, historical, and cultural scope that integrates material from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Contemporary and comprehensive, this book provides essential material for understanding trade-offs between different options for resolving complex issues, including climate policy, the contrasting interests of different groups, the changing roles of Indigenous peoples, biopiracy, human-wildlife conflict, and new governance models such as co-management. Sources of evidence about the natural world and the roles of local and traditional people are emphasized. This is a vital resource for making informed decisions about controversial issues in conservation.
Preface
Introduction: getting and evaluating information for making decisions about conservation
Part I. Maintaining Populations of Featured Species: A Utilitarian Approach to Conservation
1. Historical context: beginnings of formal utilitarian conservation
2. Central concepts: populations, succession and ecosystems
3. Strategies: managing harvests and habitats for valued species
4. Strategies: managing to minimize conflicts between pests and people
Part II. Protecting and Restoring Populations and Habitats: A Preservationist Approach to Conservation:
5. Historical context: rising concerns about human impacts
6. Central concepts: evolution, adaptation and extinction
7. Strategies: protecting and restoring species
8. Strategies: protecting and restoring ecosystems
Part III. Promoting Biocultural Diversity and Resilience: A Stewardship Approach to Conservation
9. Historical context: new opportunities and challenges
10. Central concepts: complexity and change
11. Strategies: stewardship to conserve complex, resilient ecosystems
12. Strategies: stewardship to integrate conservation of biological and cultural diversity
Appendix: types of ecosystems
Bibliography
Index
Bertie J. Weddell is a retired member of the Washington State University faculty, and former Principal and founder of Draba, a natural resource conservation business. She has been teaching, writing, and consulting about conservation for four decades. Dr Weddell has provided expert testimony on wetland ecology regarding Tribal and federal water rights. She is the author of Conserving Living Natural Resources: In the Context of a Changing World (Cambridge University Press, 2002).
"Conservation ecology is a scientific sub-field that has been flourishing for years. However, just like the rest of ecology, there is an increasing realisation that science alone can't fix all the problems, or even start to address them. Hence, we see the rise in cross-disciplinary thinking and texts; the realisation that social science can add real value to natural science. [...] It's here that Weddell pitches her thesis [...] This is a fascinating text. Initial thoughts that the simple three-fold division might lead to similarly broad-brush conceptualisations are quickly dispelled. There are nuances in every section and points presented that challenge whichever approach we feel is the correct one. This is one of those texts that should find a place on every conservation library shelf"
– Paul Ganderton, The Niche 55(1), spring 2024
