An Introduction to Conservation Biology is the only text designed for both aspiring conservation biologists and students who are interested in this topical field, providing up-to-date perspectives on high-profile issues such as sustainable development, global warming, and strategies to save species on the verge of extinction.

The book focuses successively on: biological diversity and its value; threats to biological diversity; conservation at the population and species levels; protecting, managing and restoring ecosystems; and sustainable development. Each chapter is beautifully illustrated in full color with diverse examples from the current literature. Chapters begin with guiding conservation biology principles and end with study aids such as summaries, an annotated list of suggested readings, and discussion questions. Throughout, the authors maintain a focus on the active role that scientists, local people, conservation organisations, government, and the general public play in protecting biodiversity, even while providing for human needs.

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Chapter 1 Defining Conservation Biology Chapter 2 What Is Biodiversity? Chapter 3 The Value of Biodiversity Chapter 4 Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Change Chapter 5 Climate Change and Other Threats to Biodiversity Chapter 6 Extinction Risk Chapter 7 Conserving Populations and Species Chapter 8 Establishing New Populations and Ex Situ Conservation Chapter 9 Protected Areas Chapter 10 Conservation Outside Protected Areas Chapter 11 Restoration Ecology Chapter 12 The Challenges of Sustainable Development Chapter 13 An Agenda for the Future

Anna Sher is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Denver.

"Sher provides just the right amount of detail, at the appropriate level, for my students. The examples are current, the figures are clear, and the information is topical." -Susan Margulis, Canisius College

"I reviewed a lot of textbooks before deciding to adopt this one. Sher was the most complete and up-to-date text I reviewed, provided a very thorough presentation of conservation biology, was geared to the level of my students, and was easy to read and follow."-Gary S. Comp, University of South Florida