The living planet in crisis : biodiversity science and policy / [edited by] Joel Cracraft and Francesca T. Grifo.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Cracraft, Joel.

Grifo, Francesca.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Biodiversity conservation--Government policy--Congresses.

Biodiversity conservation.

Biodiversity conservation--Government policy.

Endangered species--Social aspects--Congresses.

Endangered species.

Social aspects.

Biodiversity--Congresses.

Biodiversity.

Genre:

Conference papers and proceedings.

Physical Description:

xxiv, 311 pages : illustrations, maps ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Columbia University Press, [1999]

Summary:

With a foreword by E. O. Wilson, this book brings together internationally known experts from the scientific, societal, and conservation policy areas who address policy responses to the problem of biodiversity loss: how to determine conservation priorities in a scientific fashion, how to weigh the long-term, often hidden value of conservation against the more immediate value of land development, the need for education in areas of rapid population growth, and how lack of knowledge about biodiversity can impede conservation efforts.

United in their belief that conservation of biological diversity is a primary concern of humankind, the contributing authors address the full scope of global biodiversity and its decline -- the threatened marine life and extinction of many mammals in the modern era in relation to global patterns of development, and the implications of biodiversity loss for human health, agricultural productivity, and the economy. The Living Planet in Crisis is the result of a conference of the American Museum of Natural History's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation.

Contents:

Introduction: The Living Planet In Crisis: Biodiversity Science And Policy / Joel Cracraft, Francesca T. Grifo xiii

Part 1 Science Of Diversity And Extinction 1

1 The Magnitude Of Global Biodiversity And Its Decline / Nigel E. Stork 3

2 Dimensions Of Biodiversity: Targeting Megadiverse Groups / Norman I. Platnick 33

3 The Medium Is The Message: Freshwater Biodiversity In Peril / Melanie L. J. Stiassny 53

4 Requiem Aeternam: The Last Five Hundred Years Of Mammalian Species Extinctions / Ross D. E. MacPhee, Clare Flemming 73

Perspective: Soil Biodiversity

Life In Soil / Diana H. Wall 124

Perspective: Petruchio's Paradox: The Oyster Or The Pearl? / G. Carleton Ray 128

Part II Consequences Of Biodiversity Loss: Science And Society 137

5 Regional And Global Patterns Of Biodiversity Loss And Conservation Capacity: Predicting Future Trends And Identifying Needs / Joel Cracraft 139

6 Biodiversity, Agricultural Productivity, And People / John Burnett 173

7 The Implications Of Biodiversity Loss For Human Health / Francesca T. Grifo, Eric Chivian 197

8 Biodiversity Loss and Its Implications For Security And Armed Conflict / Arthur H. Westing 209

9 The Economic Consequences of Biodiversity Loss / Dominic Moran, David Pearce 217

Perspective: Biodiversity In Agricultural And Forestry Systems / David Pimentel 230

Part III Biodiversity Science And Policy Formulation 235

10 Saving Biodiversity And Saving The Biosphere / Norman Myers 237

11 The Facts of Life (On Earth) / Thomas E. Lovejoy 255

12 Convention On Biological Diversity: Program Priorities In The Early Stage Of Implementation / Kalemani J. Mulongoy, Susan Bragdon, Antonella Ingrassia 261

Part IV What Needs To Be Done 273

13 Strange Bedfellows: Why Science And Policy Don't Mesh And What Can Be Done About It / Jeffrey A. McNeely 275

14 Seeing The World As It Really Is: Global Stability And Environmental Change / Peter H. Raven, Joel Cracraft 287

Perspective: Scientists' Public Responsibilities / Strachan Donnelley 298.

Notes:

Based on a conference held at the American Museum of Natural History in 1995.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0231108648

0231108656

OCLC:

39982153