My Account Wish List
Advanced Search
Print - Close Window
www.greenwood.com/catalog/C9459.aspx
All Greenwood Products
Understanding Biodiversity
David Zeigler
Book Code: C9459
ISBN: 0-275-99459-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-275-99459-4
192 pages, figues, tables
Praeger Publishers
Publication: 5/30/2007
List Price: $44.95 (UK Sterling Price: £25.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Also Available: Ebook
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects: Reviews:
  • Zeigler expands upon the usual notion of the concept of biodiversity as embracing diversity among species, genes, and ecological interactions. He argues for a broader definition and considers other parameters. After a review of the common characteristics of living organisms, he provides a synopsis of species diversity and the increasing complexity of living organisms, and then elaborates on diversity within species. He goes on to summarize genetic and ecosystem diversity, and then adds chapters on temporal, morphological, metabolic, sensory, reproductive, life cycle, behavioral, and systematic diversity.... His purpose in writing the book is to pique interest in earth's biodiversity in all its manifestations. Biology educators, especially those teaching non-majors, should consider asking students to read this book as an introduction to the life sciences. Recommended. Lower-/upper-level undergraduates and general readers.
    —Choice     January 2008
  • It is certainly a book to set undergraduates thinking.
    —British Ecological Society Journal     March 2008
  • Writing for a general readership, Zeigler introduces the science of biodiversity. He describes a variety of types of biodiversity, including diversity within and between species, genetic diversity, diversity of ecosystems and ecological interactions, temporal diversity, metabolic diversity, reproductive and sexual diversity, and even behavioral and cultural diversity. He also discusses systematics as a means of representing biodiversity and considers what the implications of understanding biodiversity have to due with social and environmental values.
    —SciTech Book News     September 2007
Description: The idea of "biodiversity" has become increasingly important for those who wish to preserve and protect the varieties of life on Earth. While most works on biodiversity look at only three components-the diversity of genes, of species, and of ecosystems-Understanding Biodiversity examines the diversity of life in all of its manifestations. The living world is diverse in many ways. Animals and plants vary greatly in their size and shape, in their behavior, in how they reproduce, in how they sense the surrounding world. Understanding Biodiversity argues that there are many ways in which biodiversity has an intrinsic value - for humans, and for the living world as a whole - and that biodiversity should be better understood and appreciated by everyone, not just those in the scientific community. Only through such comprehension and appreciation will we come to value and protect biodiversity more than we do now. Humanity can only gain from such an expanded view. In addition to discussing the importance of understanding biodiversity, the author provides examples and explanations of the variety of diversities:
  • Diversity "Within" Species
  • Diversity "Above" the Species Level
  • Genetic Diversity
  • Diversity of Ecosystems and Ecological Interactions
  • Four Billion Years of Temporal Diversity
  • Morphological Diversity
  • Metabolic Diversity
  • Sensory Diversity
  • Reproductive & Sexual Diversity
  • Life Cycle Diversity
  • Behavioral & Cultural Diversity
    • LC Card Number: 2007000072
    LCC Class: QH541
    Dewey Class: 577
    All rights reserved. Copyright © 1999-2008 Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.
    88 Post Road West, Westport CT 06881, (203) 226-3571