Biodiversity
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
1 online resource (xi, 284 pages) : illustrations
9780470091593, 9780470849576, 9780470849569, 9786610269167, 0470091592, 6610269165, 0470849576, 0470849568
54767403
Biodiversity; Contents; Introduction; 1 Brief history of a concept: why be concerned by biological diversity?; 2 Biological diversity: what do we know?; 3 The mechanisms at work in the diversification of life; 4 The species richness of natural communities as a result of equilibrium/non-equilibrium processes; 5 Biological diversity and the functioning of ecological systems; 6 The dynamics of biological diversity and the consequences of human activities; 7 The dynamics of biological diversity and implications for human health; 8 Genetic resources and biotechnology. 9 'Useful' nature: the value and use of biological diversity10 The conservation of biodiversity; A conclusion of sorts; On the Web . . .; References and further reading; Index