1  Cover

      2  Dedication Page

      3  Title Page

      4  Copyright Page

      5  List of Case Studies

      6  Preface

      7  Acknowledgments

      8  About the Companion Website

      9  PART I: Biodiversity and Its Importance CHAPTER 1: Conservation and Conservation Biology What Is Conservation? A Brief History of Conservation An Overview of Conservation Ethics What Is Conservation Biology? A Brief History of Conservation Biology Summary FURTHER READING TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION CHAPTER 2: What Is Biodiversity? Species, Genes, and Ecosystems Structure and Function Measuring Biodiversity The Mismeasure of Biodiversity Biodiversity and Spatial Scales Biodiversity Verbs The Related Concepts of “Integrity” and “Sustainability” Summary FURTHER READING TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION CHAPTER 3: Species Diversity What Is a Species? How Many Species Are There? The Intrinsic Value of Species and Their Conservation Status The Instrumental Values of Species The Uniqueness Value of Species Summary FURTHER READING TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION CHAPTER 4: Ecosystem Diversity What Is an Ecosystem? The Values of Ecosystems Ecosystem Diversity and Species Diversity Ecosystems and Landscapes Summary FURTHER READING TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION CHAPTER 5: Genetic Diversity What Is Genetic Diversity? The Importance of Genetic Diversity Processes That Diminish Genetic Diversity Cultural Diversity Summary FURTHER READING TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

      10  PART II: Threats to Biodiversity CHAPTER 6: Mass Extinctions and Global Change Extinction Episodes of the Past Estimating the Current Rate of Extinction The Recent History of Global Climate Change How Did We Get to this Point? What Is the Way Ahead? Summary FURTHER READING TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION CHAPTER 7: Extinction Processes Why Are Some Species More Vulnerable to Extinction than Others? Populations Population Viability Analysis Summary FURTHER READING TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION CHAPTER 8: Ecosystem Degradation and Loss Contamination Roads, Dams, and Other Structures Earth, Fire, Water Deforestation Desertification