Fundamentals of Conservation Biology [Hardcover]

Malcolm L. Hunter Jr. (Author), James P. Gibbs (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 140513545X | ISBN-13: 978-1405135450 | Publication Date: October 31, 2006 | Edition: 3

In the new edition of this highly successful book, Malcolm Hunter and new co-author James Gibbs offer a thorough introduction to the fascinating and important field of conservation biology, focusing on what can be done to maintain biodiversity through management of ecosystems and populations.

• Starting with a succinct look at conservation and biodiversity, this book progresses to contend with some of the subject’s most complex topics, such as mass extinctions, ecosystem degradation, and over exploitation.
  
• Discusses social, political, and economic aspects of conservation biology.
  
• Thoroughly revised with over six hundred new references and web links to many of the organizations involved in conservation biology, striking photographs and maps.

Artwork from the book is available to instructors online at www.blackwellpublishing.com/hunter and by request on CD-ROM.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Drawing on their experience in teaching and instructive writing, the authors provide an accessible, well-organized and updated review suitable for undergraduate and graduate students in various biological and environmental sciences. The book will also serve as a reference work for researchers, and the expressive and lively prose, reflecting the dedication of the authors, will hopefully inspire not only future conservation biologists but anyone who is interested in the richness of life surrounding us." (Écoscience, Volume 15, Issue 4, 2008)

"One could imagine a whole course being based on this book as it has so much to offer." (Journal of Biological Education)

Review

"This new edition continues to be an excellent choice for undergraduate courses in conservation biology - notable for its well-honed organization of concepts and its clear prose." 
–Professor Thomas L Fleischner, Prescott College

"This is an excellent text that provides a clear, lucid, and comprehensive summary of approaches used in biological conservation. It should inspire a new generation of conservation biologists."
–Tim Coulson, Imperial College, London

"My goal is to expose the concepts of conservation biology to the broadest possible student audience. For its combination of accessible writing with rigorous, updated content, Fundamentals of Conservation Biology is matchless."
–Professor Travis Knowles, Francis Marion University

"Hunter and Gibbs have produced an excellent text, one that uses an array of concrete examples, ethical principles, and theory to challenge and engage students. Fundamentals of Conservation Biology should remain one of the standards in the field for years to come." 
–Dr Christopher Norment, SUNY College at Brockport

"Hunter and Gibbs comprehensively present conservation biology with both clarity and charm. It includes excellent examples and case studies, current issues and topics, and recent references that will certainly appeal to faculty and students in the conservation sciences."
–Dr Jamie M Kneitel, California State University, Sacramento

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 516 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 3 edition (October 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140513545X
• ISBN-13: 978-1405135450
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.9 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Wildlife
  • #49 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Ecology
  • #85 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Conservation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent student text., May 15, 2000

By 

Greendreams "anthusa" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Conservation Biology (Hardcover)

Malcom Hunter provides a wonderful resource for students. He brings years of experience in the academic world to create a useful and enjoyable text. His book provides broad coverage of the major topics of applied conservation including chapters on diversity, threats to biodiversity, the maintenance of biodiversity, and the human factors of conservation work. Throughout the text Dr. Hunter provides insightful illustrations and examples carefully spanning taxonomic lines and global location including several in depth case studies. This text accurately depicts the various complications and perspectives in this increasingly broad and necessary field. From the introduction through the last chapter Hunter keeps the text accessible only rarely becoming arduous to the reader's patience. Hunter leaves out the over glorified (and extremely costly) full glossy pictures that have become commonplace in modern texts making this a great buy for students. The discussion questions provided at the end of each chapter are great and his suggestions for other readings provide excellent options for students seeking to go even further into topics of interest.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great for non-biology majors lacking otherwise, January 28, 2009

By 

Formicarius (NE Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Conservation Biology (Hardcover)

There are two glowing reviews of this book but I wanted to offer a different perspective of Fundamentals of Conservation Biology. This is my second round teaching Conservation Biology at the college level. Last year I used Groom's textPrinciples of Conservation Biology, Third Edition but this was too advanced and would make a great graduate-level book. This year I'm using Hunter and Gibbs and my students are finding it lacking. If only I could take the two books and create a book that is an average between the two. Hunter and Gibbs would be ideal for a conservation biology course for non-majors but for students that had ecology and ecology-related courses.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful book, February 27, 2010

By 

Shanna C - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fundamentals of Conservation Biology (Hardcover)

I had to get this book for my university's Conservation Biology class, and it has been very helpful for reinforcing the topics and studying for tests. It is very easy to follow and not a hard read. It is a well made text book.