For more than 30 years, Fundamentals of Conservation Biology has been a valued mainstay of the literature, serving both to introduce new students to this ever-changing topic, and to provide an essential resource for academics and researchers working in the discipline. In the decade since the publication of the third edition, concerns about humanity's efforts to conserve the natural world have only grown deeper, as new threats to biodiversity continue to emerge.
This fourth edition has taken into account a vast new literature, and boasts nearly a thousand new references as a result. By embracing new theory and practice and documenting many examples of both conservation successes and the hard lessons of real-world "wicked" environmental problems, Fundamentals of Conservation Biology remains a vital resource for biologists, conservationists, ecologists, environmentalists, and others.
Preface
1. Conservation and Conservation Biology
2. What is Biodiversity?
3. Species Diversity
4. Ecosystem Diversity
5. Genetic Diversity
6. Global Change: Past and Future
7. Extinction Processes
8. Ecosystem Degradation and Loss
9. Overexploitation
10. Exotic Species
11. Protecting Ecosystems
12. Sustaining Ecosystems
13. Managing Populations
14. Conservation near people
15. Social Factors
16. Economics
17. Taking action
Glossary
Literature cited and author index
Species index
Subject index
Malcolm L. Hunter Jr. is the Libra Professor of Conservation Biology at the University of Maine and the former President of the Society for Conservation Biology.
James P. Gibbs is Distinguished Professor of Conservation Biology at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and Conservation Scientist at the Galapagos Conservancy.
Praise for previous editions:
"This new edition continues to be an excellent choice for undergraduate courses in conservation biology – notable for its well-honed organization of concepts and its clear prose."
– Professor Thomas L Fleischner, Prescott College
"This is an excellent text that provides a clear, lucid, and comprehensive summary of approaches used in biological conservation. It should inspire a new generation of conservation biologists."
– Tim Coulson, Imperial College, London
"My goal is to expose the concepts of conservation biology to the broadest possible student audience. For its combination of accessible writing with rigorous, updated content, Fundamentals of Conservation Biology is matchless."
– Professor Travis Knowles, Francis Marion University
"Hunter and Gibbs have produced an excellent text, one that uses an array of concrete examples, ethical principles, and theory to challenge and engage students. Fundamentals of Conservation Biology should remain one of the standards in the field for years to come."
– Dr Christopher Norment, SUNY College at Brockport
"Hunter and Gibbs comprehensively present conservation biology with both clarity and charm. It includes excellent examples and case studies, current issues and topics, and recent references that will certainly appeal to faculty and students in the conservation sciences."
– Dr Jamie M Kneitel, California State University, Sacramento