Edward O. Wilson defines biodiversity as "the totality of the inherited variation of all forms of life across all levels of variation, from ecosystem to species to gene." Written by prominent international authorities, this new encyclopedia contains more than 300 comprehensive articles on all aspects of biodiversity, as well as related topics from general biology. This scholarly resource will be useful to anyone interested in the many facets of biodiversity and global conservation issues.
The well-written, alphabetically arranged articles are classified into 20 broad categories, listed in "Contents by Subject Area." Subjects range from the core disciplines of biodiversity (evolution, species biodiversity, habitats and ecosystems, extinctions) to environmental conditions to human effects and interventions. Articles also address a variety of topics that are important to preserving biodiversity, such as economics, public policies, and ethics. Examples of specific article titles include Biogeochemical cycle; Coevolution; Dinosaurs, extinction theories for; Economic growth and the environment; Endangered mammals; Greenhouse effect; Plant sources of drugs and chemicals; Rainforest ecosystems, animal diversity; and Reforestation.
Articles follow a standard format that includes the author, a topical outline, a glossary, a defining statement, the body of the article, cross-references to related articles, and a bibliography. Approximately 1,000 highly useful black-and-white figures and tables, as well as 16 pages of color illustrations, supplement the text. In addition to a glossary at the beginning of each article explaining key terms related to that article, there is a 90-page glossary with more than 3,000 entries at the end of volume five explaining the terms in more detail.
The subject index to this otherwise outstanding encyclopedia could use some improvement. For example, under the term ethics there are only two page numbers listed (and no cross-references) although there are whole sections related to the ethics of biodiversity in articles such as Environmental ethics, Ethical issues in biodiversity protection, and Religious traditions and biodiversity. Random sampling revealed an incorrect page reference for Boy Scouts of America. Figures and tables are not indexed. There are few cross-references from one broad topic to another in the index; therefore, the user is advised to use references to related articles at the end of each article to find additional information.
This encyclopedia is a worthwhile investment for anyone in need of a scholarly reference source devoted to biodiversity and related preservation issues. There are no other current encyclopedias that provide comparable in-depth coverage of this increasingly important topic. The Encyclopedia of Biodiversity is particularly recommended for special and academic libraries. For a limited period, access to an upcoming online version is included in the purchase of the print set. RBB
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Review
"...There are no other current encyclopedias that provide comparable in-depth coverage of this increasingly important topic..." -- Booklist
"...This unique set provides an excellent overview of many aspects of this important concept...Impressive in content and organization..." -- Choice
"A scholarly resource for understanding this exceptional and living planet we call home...so solid and authoritative no library should be without." -- Thomas E. Lovejoy, Chief Biodiversity Advisor, The World Bank
"Compiled by a virtual who's who in the field of conservation science, the Encyclopedia of Biodiversity highlights the critical importance of biodiversity and illustrates why all thinking people should care about stemming the loss of our natural heritage." -- John Sawhill, former President and CEO, The Nature Company
"My participation in the development of this Encyclopedia has been a very encouraging experience, particularly in providing an opportunity to see how broadly interest in biodiversity has spread. The Encyclopedia has deliberately been organised [sic] in a most inclusive way, and this will help people of all backgrounds learn more about their world and the other living things they share it with." -- Sir Robert May, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government
"The current extinction of species as the result of human agency has aroused world attention and calls for appropriate policy. This encyclopedia aims to bring together the knowledge necessary for appropriate and well-directed action. From the titles of the articles and the quality of the contributors, it will clearly be an invaluable source for both scholarship and policy." -- Kenneth J. Arrow, Joan Kenney Professor of Economics, Emeritus and Professor of Operations Research, Emeritus, Stanford University, Stanford, California
"The viability of any twenty-first century politics will hinge on its effective grasp of the principles of biodiversity. The Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, a clarification of key concepts in five volumes, will prove to be a terrific source for scholars, activists, and decision makers." -- Barry Lopez, Author of Arctic Dreams
"With an authoritative, wide-ranging and engaging approach to biodiversity an sustainability, the Encyclopedia does and excellent job of synthesising material of many different kinds so as to advance our understanding of ecological systems"
Murray Gell-mann, The Santa Fe Institute, New Mexico, USA -- Review
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