Biodiversity Loss: Economic and Ecological Issues [Paperback]

Charles Perrings (Editor), Karl-Goran Maler (Editor), Carl Folke (Editor), C. S. Holling (Editor), Bengt-Owe Jansson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 28, 1997

This important book reports the findings of a research program that brought together economists and ecologists to consider the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss. It shows that while the immediate causes of biodiversity loss lie in habitat destruction and harvesting, the underlying causes are incentives that encourage resource users to ignore the effects of their actions. These effects include both loss of genetic material, and the collapse of ecosystem resilience--our "insurance" against the fundamental uncertain effects of economic and population growth. The "solutions" are argued to lie in the reform of incentives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[The chapters] are solid contributions to the literature. They illuminate many of the core questions of biodiversity and its conservation. They have much to say to conservation biologists, resource economists, environmental strategists, and those concerned with the role of biodiversity in national land-use planning....would make excellent assignments for graduate classes." Norman Myers, BioScience

"This book may be the most significant contribution to the interdisciplinary literature on biodiversity....Well-coordinated group discussions and sharing of draft research papers, joint research projects and chapter co-authorship by ecologists and economists, and strong and thoughtful editing have resulted in a coherent volume of original and strong contributions." Richard B. Norgaard, Journal of Wildlife Management

Book Description

The book reports the findings of a research program that brought together economists and ecologists to consider the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss. It shows that while the immediate causes of biodiversity loss lie in habitat destruction and harvesting, the underlying causes are incentives which encourage resource users to ignore the effects of their actions. These effects include both loss of genetic material, and the collapse of ecosystem resilienceNour 'insurance' against the fundamental uncertain effects of economic and population growth. The 'solutions' are argued to lie in the reform of incentives.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521588669
• ISBN-13: 978-0521588669
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,490,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)