BiodiversityJohn Wiley & Sons, 2004 M04 21 - 296 pages The title provides an overview of the current knowledge about the diversity of the living world and the various problems associated with its conservation and sustainable use. Covering both the fundamentals of the subject, along with the latest research, Biodiversity presents key conservation issues within a framework of global case studies. Starting with a summary of the concept of biodiversity, the text then explores such subjects as species richness, ecological systems, the consequences of human activities, diversity and human health, genetic resources, biotechnology and conservation.
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From inside the book
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Page xi
... References and further reading Index 249 250 251 251 253 254 255 256 256 258 259 260 262 263 267 269 269 269 269 270 270 271 272 272 272 273 273 275 281 Introduction In less than a century, our perception of nature CONTENTS xi.
... References and further reading Index 249 250 251 251 253 254 255 256 256 258 259 260 262 263 267 269 269 269 269 270 270 271 272 272 272 273 273 275 281 Introduction In less than a century, our perception of nature CONTENTS xi.
Page 1
... century, the world population was primarily rural, and survival was its top priority. Predators and crop pests abounded, and harvests were uncertain. In Europe and the tropics (this was still the colonial era), humans were seriously ...
... century, the world population was primarily rural, and survival was its top priority. Predators and crop pests abounded, and harvests were uncertain. In Europe and the tropics (this was still the colonial era), humans were seriously ...
Page 2
... century; i.e. they were well on the way to overcoming natural constraints. And yet the situation today is far from idyllic, and a new perception of nature has taken shape in Western society. Under the pressure of conservation movements ...
... century; i.e. they were well on the way to overcoming natural constraints. And yet the situation today is far from idyllic, and a new perception of nature has taken shape in Western society. Under the pressure of conservation movements ...
Page 4
... century, the behaviour of western societies towards nature has changed profoundly. They have gradually moved away from their initial impulse to control a hostile natural world towards a more respectful approach to life, seeking a ...
... century, the behaviour of western societies towards nature has changed profoundly. They have gradually moved away from their initial impulse to control a hostile natural world towards a more respectful approach to life, seeking a ...
Page 5
... century, humankind grew conscious of its unprecedented impact upon natural environments and the danger of exhausting biological resources. At the same time, biological diversity was recognised as an essential parameter, in particular ...
... century, humankind grew conscious of its unprecedented impact upon natural environments and the danger of exhausting biological resources. At the same time, biological diversity was recognised as an essential parameter, in particular ...
Contents
5 | |
13 | |
3 The mechanisms at work in the diversification of life | 39 |
4 The species richness of natural communities as a result of equilibriumnonequilibrium processes | 73 |
5 Biological diversity and the functioning of ecological systems | 97 |
6 The dynamics of biological diversity and the consequences of human activities | 131 |
7 The dynamics of biological diversity and implications for human health | 165 |
8 Genetic resources and biotechnology | 185 |
9 Useful nature the value and use of biological diversity | 207 |
10 The conservation of biodiversity | 225 |
A conclusion of sorts | 267 |
On the Web | 269 |
References and further reading | 275 |
Index | 281 |
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Common terms and phrases
000 years ago adapted Africa agricultural animals aquatic arthropods bacteria behaviour biodiversity biological diversity biosphere cause century changes chemical cichlid climate colonized communities competition concept conservation Convention on Biological cycles disappeared diseases disturbances dynamics ecological niches ecologists economic ecosys ecosystem ecosystem functioning endemic environmental equilibrium eukaryotes Europe European evolution example exploitation extinction favourable fish forest genes genetic diversity genetic resources genome global groups habitats human activities humankind ice age impact industry interactions islands Lake living organisms living world major mammals marine micro-organisms microbial loop million years ago modified molecular molecules mutations natural environments number of species nutrients parasite pathogens plankton plants populations possible predators preserve production prokaryotes protected areas refuge zones regions relationship reproduction result role savannas selection soil speciation species richness strategies structure survival sustainable development term terrestrial theory tion tree tropical varieties vectors vegetation virus viruses wild zooplankton