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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Page 1
... Predators and crop pests abounded, and harvests were uncertain. In Europe and the tropics (this was still the colonial era), humans were seriously threatened by diseases. The natural and animal worlds were often perceived as hostile ...
... Predators and crop pests abounded, and harvests were uncertain. In Europe and the tropics (this was still the colonial era), humans were seriously threatened by diseases. The natural and animal worlds were often perceived as hostile ...
Page 2
... predators (or so-called predators . . . ) and had acquired technologies for controlled and intensive farming. They had finally achieved their ends, as defined by the prevailing mentality at the beginning of the century; i.e. they were ...
... predators (or so-called predators . . . ) and had acquired technologies for controlled and intensive farming. They had finally achieved their ends, as defined by the prevailing mentality at the beginning of the century; i.e. they were ...
Page 63
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Page 66
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Page 71
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Contents
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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