Essentials of conservation biology

Abstract

I. Issues that Define the Discipline: What Is Conservation Biology? What Is Biological Diversity? Where Is the World's Biological Diversity Found?. II. Threats to Biological Diversity: Loss of Biological Diversity Patterns of Rarity and Abundance Threats to Biological Diversity: Habitat Destruction, Fragmentation, and Degradation More Threats to Biological Diversity: Exotic Species, Disease, and Overexploitation III. The Value of Biological Diversity: Direct Economic Value of Biological Diversity and Natural Resources Indirect Economic Values The Ethical Value of Biological Diversity. IV. Conservation at the Population Level: The Problems of Small Populations Population Biology of Endangered Species. V. Practical Applications: What Can Be Done to Protect Biological Diversity in the Wild? The Design of Conservation Areas Managing Protected Areas for Biological Diversity Preserving Biological Diversity Outside of Protected Areas ExSitu Conservation Strategies Establishing New Populations. VI. Conservation and Human Societies: How are Species and Habitats Legally Protected? International Agreements International Funding of Conservation Activities Agenda For the Future.