Biodiversity II : understanding and protecting our biological resources / Marjorie L. Reaka-Kudla, Don E. Wilson, and Edward O. Wilson, editors.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Reaka-Kudla, Marjorie L., editor.

Wilson, Don E., editor.

Wilson, Edward O., editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Biodiversity conservation.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (653 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, District of Columbia : Joseph Henry Press, [1997]

Summary:

"The book before you . . . carries the urgent warning that we are rapidly altering and destroying the environments that have fostered the diversity of life forms for more than a billion years." With those words, Edward O. Wilson opened the landmark volume "Biodiversity" (National Academy Press, 1988). Despite this and other such alarms, species continue to vanish at a rapid rate, taking with them their genetic legacy and potential benefits. Many disappear before they can even be identified. Biodiversity II is a renewed call for urgency. This volume updates readers on how much we already know and how much remains to be identified scientifically. It explores new strategies for quantifying, understanding, and protecting biodiversity, including New approaches to the integration of electronic data, including a proposal for a U.S. National Biodiversity Information Center. Application of techniques developed in the human genome project to species identification and classification. The Gap Analysis Program of the National Biological Survey, which uses layered satellite, climatic, and biological data to assess distribution and better manage biodiversity. The significant contribution of museum collections to identifying and categorizing species, which is essential for understanding ecological function and for targeting organisms and regions at risk. The book describes our growing understanding of how megacenters of diversity (e.g., rainforest insects, coral reefs) are formed, maintained, and lost; what can be learned from mounting bird extinctions; and how conservation efforts for neotropical primates have fared. It also explores ecosystem restoration, sustainable development, and agricultural impact. Biodiversity II reinforces the idea that the conservation of our biological resources is within reach as long as we pool resources; better coordinate the efforts of existing institutions--museums, universities, and government agencies--already dedicated to this goal; and enhance support for research, collections, and training. This volume will be important to environmentalists, biologists, ecologists, educators, students, and concerned individuals.

Contents:

COVER PAGE

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Introduction

PART I THE MEANING AND VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY

Chapter 2 Biodiversity: What is it?

References

Chapter 3 Biodiversity: Why Is It Important?

PART II PATTERNS OF THE BIOSPHERE: HOW MUCH BIODIVERSITY IS THERE?

Chapter 4 Biodiversity at Its Utmost: Tropical Forest Beetles

Collection of Data

An Agenda For Sampling Beetles In An ATBI

Sampling

Preparation

Interim Identification

Data Storage

Building Collections

Summary

Chapter 5 Measuring Global Biodiversity and Its Decline

The Legacy Of Linnaeus

What Do We Know Of Species?

How Many Species Are There?

Ratios of Known to Unknown Faunas

Extrapolations from Samples

Erwin's 30 Million Species

Estimates from Intensive Sampling in Sulawesi

Other Models for Estimation of Species

Body Size and Number of Species

Species Turnover

Taxonomists' Views

Extinctions

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgments

Chapter 6 Butterfly Diversity and a Preliminary Comparison with Bird and Mammal Diversity

Global Patterns Of Butterfly Diversity

Species Richness Of U.S. Butterflies

Neotropical Diversity

Butterflies, Birds, And Mammals

Discussion

Conclusions

Chapter 7 The Global Biodiversity of Coral Reefs: A Comparison with Rain Forests

The Value And Current Status Of Coral Reefs

A Quantified Estimate Of Biodiversity On Coral Reefs

Evaluation Of The Results And Their Implications

Chapter 8 Common Measures for Studies of Biodiversity: Molecular Phylogeny in the Eukaryotic Microbial World

PART III THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY: WHAT HAVE WE LOST AND WHAT MIGHT WE LOSE?

Chapter 9 The Rich Diversity Of Biodiversity Issues.

Hotspots Revisited

Tropical Lakes

Tropical Wetlands

Other Categories Of Biodiversity

Are Earth's Biotas Stressed?

Consequences For Evolution

What Shall We Do About It All?

How Long Do We Have?

Chapter 10 Human-Caused Extinction Of Birds

Background

Continents

Islands

Chapter 11 Global Warming And Plant Species Richness: A Case Study Of The Paleocene/Eocene Boundary

Reconstructing Climates Of The Past

The Equable Climate Paradox

The Terminal Paleocene Event

The Paleocene-Eocene Transition On Land

A Scenario For Paleocene/Eocene Plant Extinctions

Chapter 12 Plant Response To Multiple Environmental Stresses: Implications For Climatic Change And Biodiversity

Lessons From The Past

Response To CO2

Response To Temperature

Response To Water

Response To CO2 And Water

Response To Increases In UV-B Radiation

Responses Of Native Versus Exotic Species

PART IV UNDERSTANDING AND USING BIODIVERSITY

Chapter 13 Names: The Keys To Biodiversity

A Universal Language Of Biodiversity

The Real World: Diversity And Dispersion

Progress And Promise

Service To Society

Conclusion

Chapter 14 Systematics: A Keystone To Understanding Biodiversity

Chapter 15 Biodiversity And Systematics: Their Application To Agriculture1

History And The Future

Agricultural Dilemma

Biological Control

Integrated Pest Management

Sustainable Agriculture

Pest Introductions and Quarantine

Plant Germplasm

The Brush-Fire Approach To Agricultural Systematics

Systematics: The Predictor Of Biodiversity

The Solution

Chapter 16 Snout Moths: Unraveling The Taxonomic Diversity Of A Speciose Group In The Neotropics.

Snout Moths And Biodiversity

Snout Moths And Agricultural Diversity

Biodiversity In Costa Rica: An Opportunity

Benefits Of Research On Pyraloidean Biodiversity

Chapter 17 Phylogeny And Historical Reconstruction: Host-Parasite Systems As Keystones In Biogeography And Ecology

Historical Reconstruction

Parasites And Historical Reconstruction

Conceptual Foundations

Current Research Programs

Freshwater Rays, Parasites and the Amazon: A Pacific Origin

Tapeworms and Transantarctic Marsupials

Seabirds, Pinnipeds, and Pleistocene Marine Refugia

Conclusions: Parasites As Historical Probes For Biodiversity

Chapter 18 Comparative Behavioral And Biochemical Studies Of Bowerbirds And The Evolution Of Bower-Building

Evolution Of Bowerbirds

Hypotheses For The Evolution Of Bowers

Display in the Satin Bowerbird: An Avenue-Builder

Display in Macgregor's Bowerbird: A Maypole-Builder

Display in Toothbilled Bowerbirds: No Bower with Leks

Archbold's Bowerbird: No Bower and No Lek

A Model For The Evolution Of Bowers

PART V BUILDING TOWARD A SOLUTION: NEW DIRECTIONS AND APPLICATIONS

Chapter 19 Microbial Biodiversity And Biotechnology

Growth Of The Biotechnology Industry

Biodiversity Of Microorganisms

The Ecological Importance Of Microbial Biodiversity

The Significance Of Microbial Biodiversity For Biotechnology

Relation Of Loss Of Macroorganismal Biodiversity To Microbial Ecology And Diversity

Chapter 20 The Impact Of Rapid Gene Discovery Technology On Studies Of Evolution And Biodiversity

What Is Rapid Gene Discovery?

Molecular Data In Systematics

ESTs as a Tool for Marker Development

An Annealing Algorithm for Multiple Sequence Alignment.

Databases and Biodiversity

Applying Rapid Gene Discovery Technology To Biodiversity

Chapter 21 Initial Assessment Of Character Sets From Five Nuclear Gene Sequences In Animals1

Materials And Methods

Data

Test Phylogeny

Phylogenetic Analyses

Results

Dopa Decarboxylase

Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase

RNA Polymerase II (Largest Subunit)

Elongation Factor-2

Elongation Factor-lα

Chapter 22 Gap Analysis For Biodiversity Survey And Maintenance

History Of Gap Analysis

Classifying And Mapping Ecosystems

Distribution Maps Of Species

Locations Of Areas Managed Primarily For Native Species And Natural Ecosystem Processes

Gap Analysis As A Conservation Strategy

Methods Of Analysis: Selecting Completely Representative Biodiversity Management Networks

An Example From Idaho

Chapter 23 Conservation Of Biodiversity In Neotropical Primates

Systematics, Phylogeny, And Geographic Distribution

Monitoring Changes In Quantity And Quality Of Habitat

Field Studies On Ecology, Evolution, And Behavior

Conservation Strategies

Information Management and Networking

Application of the Scientific Method

Captive Breeding and Reintroduction

Conservation Education

International Collaboration

Chapter 24 Using Marine Invertebrates To Establish Research And Conservation Priorities

Coral Reefs

Distinguishing Types Of Biodiversity

Taxonomy And Biodiversity In Coral Reefs

Documenting Biodiversity In Tropical Marine Ecosystems

Establishing Priorities In Marine Biodiversity

Developing Selection Strategies

A Geological Frame of Reference for Biodiversity

The Madang Lagoon, Papua New Guinea

Marine Invertebrates of the Madang Lagoon.

Selecting Coral Reef Sites By Attributes

Developing Action Strategies

Chapter 25 Ecological Restoration And The Conservation Of Biodiversity

The Product: The Restored Ecosystem

The Process: Restoration Ecology

The Experience: Reentering The Forest

Performance: A New Communion With Nature

Chapter 26 Tropical Sustainable Development And Biodiversity

The McKelvey Box Classification Of Biodiversity

Impediments To Sustainable Development

History Lessons For Tropical Sustainable Development

The Titanic Effect and the Collapse of the Maya

Henry Ford's Sustainable Villages

The American Civil War and the North-South Dichotomy

Tropical Partnerships for Transportation and Development

The Colombian Exchange and Marketing of Nontimber Products

Ideas From the Origin of Agriculture

Amazonia and the Louisiana Purchase

Export Agriculture in Central America and the Chesapeake Tidewater

Puerto Rican Deforestation and Reforestation

The Civilian Conservation Corps and Tijuca Forest

Chapter 27 Wildland Biodiversity Management In The Tropics1

Where Are We Now, And Where Are We Going?

The More We Know About Wild Tropical Biodiversity, The More We Can Use It Without Destroying It

What Do We Need To Know?

How Do We Get This Information?

What Do We Not Need To Know?

What Do We Do With Biodiversity Once We Know Something About It?

The Limiting Resource: Knowledge Itself

Computerization and The Transfer of Knowledge

Taxonomy and the Taxasphere

Targeting the Small Stuff

Managing Wildland Biodiversity For Sustainable Use

In Closing

PART VI GETTING THE JOB DONE: INSTITUTIONAL, HUMAN, AND INFORMATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

Chapter 28 Taxonomic Preparedness: Are We Ready To Meet The Biodiversity Challenge?.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-309-52075-4

0-309-17656-5