Biodiversity: An Introduction

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.
The field of biodiversity is rapidly developing as new research challenges and furthers our understanding of this stimulating subject. This new edition has been substantially revised to take account of these recent developments. Much of the text has been rewritten, updated and extended to provide an up–to–date examination of key issues, and includes the newest models, experiments and research. Throughout the text reference is made to the relevant primary literature and each chapter ends with suggestions for further reading, including the most important new articles and books. All the figures included in the book are downloadable from the Blackwell Publishing website (www.blackwellpublishing.com/gaston).
Biodiversity: An Introduction has been designed primarily for undergraduates studying biodiversity on a range of courses in botany, zoology and ecology. It is also essential reading for anyone requiring an overview of the vast literature on this topic.

Spis treści:
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

Nota biograficzna:
Kevin J. Gaston is Professor of Biodiversity and Conservation at the University of Sheffield. He has broad research interests in the fields of biodiversity, macroecology and conservation biology.
John I. Spicer is a Reader in Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth. His research interests range from the ecophysiology of marine animals through to the functional biodiversity of marine systems.

Okładka tylna:
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.
The field of biodiversity is rapidly developing as new research challenges and furthers our understanding of this stimulating subject. This new edition has been substantially revised to take account of these recent developments. Much of the text has been rewritten, updated and extended to provide an up–to–date examination of key issues, and includes the newest models, experiments and research. Throughout the text reference is made to the relevant primary literature and each chapter ends with suggestions for further reading, including the most important new articles and books. All the figures included in the book are downloadable from the Blackwell Publishing website (ww w.blackwellpublishing.com/gaston).
Biodiversity: An Introduction has been designed primarily for undergraduates studying biodiversity on a range of courses in botany, zoology and ecology. It is also essential reading for anyone requiring an overview of the vast literature on this topic.