Sturgeon Biodiversity and Conservation (Developments in Environmental Biology of Fishes) [Hardcover]

Vadim J. Birstein (Editor), John R. Waldman (Editor), William E. Bemis (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0792345177 | ISBN-13: 978-0792345176 | Publication Date: May 31, 1997

This volume presents a synthesis of basic biological and conservation data for more than 30 species of sturgeons (Acipenseridae), paddlefishes (Polyodontidae) and their fossil allies in the order Acipenseriformes. Since the Jurassic, the four families of sturgeon-like fish have been restricted to the Holarctic, where until very recently they flourished in most major river systems. Today, however, virtually all species of sturgeons and paddlefishes face difficult conservation issues. Papers in the first section of this volume examine paleontology, systematics, evolution and basic biology of Acipenseriformes. The second section of this volume details current conservation status for most of the world's living species of Acipenseriformes. These papers mark the first attempt to make such a global review of recent data from across the northern hemisphere. The emerging picture is discouraging, for negative anthropogenic impacts range from overfishing to water pollution, to dams and water diversion projects, and all species are threatened to some degree. The third section of the volume considers specific human impacts and responses to conservation issues. These include: the Aral Sea ecological disaster and its impact on native sturgeons; a review of methods for restoring sturgeon populations; the use of molecular techniques in developing conservation strategies; the extreme sensitivity of sturgeons and paddlefishes to overfishing; and the history of a recently convicted caviar poaching ring. The volume's summary reviews the status of all extant species and notes future directions for research on behavior, ecology and population biology that could lead to better co-ordinated international conservation efforts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`This is a landmark volume. ... do have your library order the volume if they have not done so.' COPEIA, 4 (1999)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 425 pages
• Publisher: Springer (May 31, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792345177
• ISBN-13: 978-0792345176
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,180,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Copeia, August 6, 2002

By 

Jasmine Benzvi (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sturgeon Biodiversity and Conservation (Developments in Environmental Biology of Fishes) (Hardcover)

"This is a landmark volume...have your library order the volume if they have not done so."