Conservation biology

Reflecting what a new generation of conservation biologists is doing and thinking, this vital and far-ranging second edition explores where conservation biology is heading. It challenges many conventions of conservation biology by exposing certain weaknesses of widely accepted "principles.". Combining contributions from both the old school and the new breed of conservation biologists, this insightful text focuses primarily on topics that are integral to the daily activities of conservation biologists. Several chapters address ecosystem restoration and biotic invasions as well as the mechanics of population viability analyses, which are now a routine facet of conservation efforts. A "case history" approach is implemented throughout the book, with the use of practical real-world examples. Furthermore, an in-depth look at quantitative analyses is presented, allowing for models and mathematical analyses to pinpoint limitations in existing data and guide research toward those aspects of biology that are most likely to be critical to the dynamics of a species or an ecosystem. Undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in introductory conservation as well as researchers in the field will be enlightened by the new, practical ideas and perspectives presented in this comprehensive and indispensable textbook.