The main goal of this book is to encourage and formalize the infusion of evolutionary thinking into mainstream conservation biology. It reviews the evolutionary foundations of conservation issues, and unifies conceptual and empirical advances in evolutionary conservation biology. The book can be used either as a primary textbook or as a supplementary reading in an advanced undergraduate or graduate level course - likely to be called Conservation Biology or in some cases Evolutionary Ecology. The focus of chapters is on current concepts in evolution as they pertain to conservation, and the empirical study of these concepts. The balanced treatment avoids exhaustive reviews and overlapping duplication among the chapters. Little background in genetics is assumed of the reader.

Section 1 - Population structure and genetics of threatened taxa 1. The history, purview and future of conservation genetics - John C. Avise 2. Effects of population size on population viability: from mutation to environmental catastrophes - David Reed 3. Demographics versus genetics in conservation biology - Barry W. Brook 4. Metapopulation structure and the conservation consequences of population fragmentation - Julianno B. M. Sambatti, Eli Stahl & Susan Harrison 5. The influence of breeding systems and mating systems on conservation genetics and conservation decisions - Michele R. Dudash & Courtney J. Murren Section 2 - Conserving biodiversity within and among species 6. The importance of conserving evolutionary processes - Thomas B. Smith and Gregory F. Grether 7. Phylogenetic diversity and conservation - Daniel P. Faith 8. Genetic considerations in introduction efforts - Philippine Vergeer, N. Joop Ouborg, Andrew P. Hendry 9. Hybridization, introgression and the evolutionary management of threatened species - Judith M. Rhymer Section 3 - Evolutionary responses to environmental change 10. Evolution in response to climate change - Julie Etterson 11. Evolutionary dynamics of adaptation to environmental stress - George W. Gilchrist and Donna G. Folk 12. Managing phenotypic variability with genetic and environmental heterogeneity: adaptation as a first principle of conservation biology - Scott P. Carroll and Jason V. Watters 13. Genetic diversity, adaptive potential and population viability in changing environments - Elizabeth Grace Boulding Section 4 - Conservation and evolution in biotic interactions 14. The geographic mosaic of co evolution and its conservation significance - Craig W. Benkman, Thomas L. Parchman & Adam M. Siepielski 15. The next communities: evolution and integration of invasive species - Scott P. Carroll & Charles W. Fox 16. Ecosystem recovery: Lessons from the past - Geerat J. Vermeij 17. Host-pathogen evolution, biodiversity and disease risks for natural populations - Sonia Altizer & Amy B. Pedersen Section 5 - Evolutionary management 18. Conservation planning and genetic diversity - Maile C. Neel 19. Implications of transgene escape for conservation - Michelle Marvier 20. Evolution and sustainability of harvested populations - Mikko Heino & Ulf Dieckmann References Cited