MTU Library Catalogue

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Fundamentals of conservation biology/ Malcolm L. Hunter, James P. Gibbs.

By: Hunter, Malcolm L.
Contributor(s): Gibbs, James P.
Material type: materialTypeLabelBookPublisher: Malden, Mass. ; Oxford : Blackwell, 2007Edition: 3rd ed.Description: xv, 497 p. : ill., maps ; 26 cm.Content type: text Media type: unmediated Carrier type: volumeISBN: 9781405135450 (hbk.) :; 140513545X (hbk.) :.Subject(s): Conservation biology | Natural resources -- Management | Biodiversity conservation | Environment and Ecology | Ecological science, the Biosphere | Earth sciences | BiodiversityAdditional physical formats: Electronic version: Fundamentals of conservation biologyDDC classification: 333.9516 HUN Also available in electronic form.Summary: The conservation of biodiversity is one of the most important issues facing ecologists. This book offers an introduction to the important field of conservation biology, focusing on what can be done to maintain biodiversity through management of ecosystems and populations.
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Status Barcode
General lending MTU Kerry North Campus Library Ground Floor Main 333.9516 HUN (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available 38888000982359
General lending MTU Kerry North Campus Library Ground Floor Main 333.9516 HUN (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available 38888000982342
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

In the new edition of this highly successful book, Malcolm Hunter and new co-author James Gibbs offer a thorough introduction to the fascinating and important field of conservation biology, focusing on what can be done to maintain biodiversity through management of ecosystems and populations. Starting with a succinct look at conservation and biodiversity, this book progresses to contend with some of the subject's most complex topics, such as mass extinctions, ecosystem degradation, and over exploitation. Discusses social, political, and economic aspects of conservation biology. Thoroughly revised with over six hundred new references and web links to many of the organizations involved in conservation biology, striking photographs and maps.

Artwork from the book is available to instructors online at www.blackwellpublishing.com/hunter and by request on CD-ROM.

Formerly CIP. Uk

Includes bibliographical references (p. 405-475) and index.

The conservation of biodiversity is one of the most important issues facing ecologists. This book offers an introduction to the important field of conservation biology, focusing on what can be done to maintain biodiversity through management of ecosystems and populations.

Also available in electronic form.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • List of Case Studies (p. xi)
  • Preface (p. xiii)
  • Acknowledgments (p. xvi)
  • Part I Biodiversity and Its Importance (p. 3)
  • 1 Conservation and Conservation Biology (p. 4)
  • What Is Conservation? (p. 4)
  • A Brief History of Conservation (p. 5)
  • An Overview of Conservation Ethics (p. 10)
  • What Is Conservation Biology? (p. 14)
  • A Brief History of a Young Discipline (p. 15)
  • Summary (p. 20)
  • 2 What Is Biodiversity? (p. 22)
  • Species, Genes, and Ecosystems (p. 22)
  • Structure and Function (p. 24)
  • Measuring Biodiversity (p. 24)
  • The Mismeasure of Biodiversity (p. 26)
  • Biodiversity and Spatial Scales (p. 26)
  • Biodiversity Verbs (p. 29)
  • The Related Concepts of "Integrity" and "Sustainability" (p. 29)
  • Summary (p. 33)
  • 3 Species Diversity (p. 34)
  • What Is a Species? (p. 34)
  • How Many Species Are There? (p. 36)
  • The Intrinsic Value of Species and Their Conservation Status (p. 40)
  • The Instrumental Values of Species (p. 45)
  • The Uniqueness Value of Species (p. 60)
  • Summary (p. 63)
  • 4 Ecosystem Diversity (p. 65)
  • What Is an Ecosystem? (p. 65)
  • The Values of Ecosystems (p. 70)
  • Ecosystem Diversity and Species Diversity (p. 77)
  • Ecosystems and Landscapes (p. 80)
  • Summary (p. 84)
  • 5 Genetic Diversity (p. 86)
  • What Is Genetic Diversity? (p. 86)
  • The Importance of Genetic Diversity (p. 92)
  • Processes that Diminish Genetic Diversity (p. 99)
  • Cultural Diversity (p. 106)
  • Summary (p. 106)
  • Part II Threats to Biodiversity (p. 113)
  • 6 Mass Extinctions and Global Change (p. 114)
  • Extinction Episodes of the Past (p. 114)
  • Estimating the Current Rate of Extinction (p. 118)
  • The Prospect of Global Climate Change (p. 121)
  • Summary (p. 128)
  • 7 Extinction Processes (p. 130)
  • Why Are Some Species More Vulnerable to Extinction than Others? (p. 130)
  • Populations (p. 135)
  • Population Viability Analysis (p. 139)
  • Summary (p. 148)
  • 8 Ecosystem Degradation and Loss (p. 150)
  • Contamination (p. 152)
  • Roads, Dams, and Other Structures (p. 158)
  • Earth, Fire, Water (p. 162)
  • Deforestation (p. 165)
  • Desertification (p. 168)
  • Draining, Dredging, Damming, etc. (p. 170)
  • Fragmentation (p. 174)
  • Summary (p. 182)
  • 9 Overexploitation (p. 184)
  • The Long History of Overexploitation (p. 184)
  • Types of Exploitation (p. 188)
  • Consequences of Overexploitation (p. 194)
  • Some Final Perspectives on Exploitation (p. 197)
  • Summary (p. 203)
  • 10 Invasive Exotics (p. 205)
  • How Do Species Move? (p. 206)
  • Impacts of Invasive Exotics (p. 212)
  • Success Rates (p. 217)
  • Irony (p. 218)
  • Summary (p. 222)
  • Part III Maintaining Biodiversity (p. 225)
  • 11 Protecting Ecosystems (p. 226)
  • Reserve Selection (p. 228)
  • Reserve Design (p. 235)
  • Reserve Management (p. 243)
  • Summary (p. 247)
  • 12 Managing Ecosystems (p. 252)
  • Modified Ecosystems (p. 252)
  • Cultivated Ecosystems (p. 261)
  • Built Ecosystems (p. 267)
  • Restoring Ecosystems (p. 270)
  • Summary (p. 279)
  • 13 Managing Populations (p. 281)
  • Providing Resources (p. 282)
  • Controlling Threats (p. 287)
  • Direct Manipulations (p. 298)
  • Epilogue (p. 308)
  • Summary (p. 308)
  • 14 Zoos and Gardens (p. 310)
  • Changing Roles (p. 310)
  • Building Arks (p. 312)
  • The ex Situ-in Situ Interface (p. 319)
  • Conservation of Domesticated Species (p. 322)
  • Summary (p. 325)
  • Part IV The Human Factors (p. 329)
  • 15 Social Factors (p. 330)
  • Values Differ (p. 330)
  • Describing Values (p. 336)
  • Values Change (p. 338)
  • Summary (p. 344)
  • 16 Economics (p. 346)
  • The Benefits (p. 346)
  • The Costs (p. 355)
  • The Distribution of Benefits and Costs (p. 356)
  • Problems and Solutions (p. 358)
  • Summary (p. 370)
  • 17 Politics and Action (p. 372)
  • Setting Priorities for Action (p. 372)
  • Rights and Responsibilities (p. 379)
  • International Agencies (p. 379)
  • Governments (p. 384)
  • Nongovernmental Organizations (p. 385)
  • Corporations (p. 386)
  • Communities (p. 387)
  • Individuals (p. 388)
  • Summary (p. 390)
  • Epilogue (p. 392)
  • Glossary (p. 394)
  • Literature Cited and Author Index (p. 405)
  • Species Index (p. 476)
  • Subject Index (p. 486)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Malcolm Hunter is the Libra Professor of Conservation Biology and Professor of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Maine, Orono
James Gibbs is Associate Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology at the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry