economics, Biology, ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies 

This important new book addresses key topics in contemporaryconservation biology. Written by an internationally renowned teamof authors, Key Topics in Conservation Biology explorescutting-edge issues in modern biodiversity conservation, includingcontroversial subjects such as rarity and prioritization, conflictbetween people and wildlife, the human aspect of conservation, therelevance of animal welfare, and the role of nongovernmentorganizations. Key Topics also tackles the management of wildlifediseases, and examines the impact of bushmeat extraction and therole of hunting in the conservationist's toolbox. Other essaysexplore basic tools of conservation biology, such as computermodeling, conservation genetics, metapopulation processes, and theingenious use of hi-tech equipment. Each topic is explored by threetop international experts, assembled to bring their cross-cuttingknowledge to a penetrating synthesis of the issues from boththeoretical and practical perspectives. The interdisciplinary nature of biodiversity conservation isreflected throughout the book. Each essay examines the fundamentalprinciples of the topic, the methodologies involved and, crucially,the human dimension. In this way, Key Topics in ConservationBiology embraces the issues from cutting-edge ecologicalscience to policy, environmental economics, governance, ethics, andthe practical issues of implementation.Key Topics in Conservation Biology will be a valuableresource in universities and colleges, government departments, andconservation agencies. It is aimed particularly at seniorundergraduate and graduate students in conservation biology andwildlife management, and those taking Masters degrees in any fieldrelevant to conservation. Conservation practitioners,policy-makers, and the wider general public eager to understandmore about important environmental issues will also find this bookinvaluable. - from Amzon