An Introduction to Conservation Biology
4th Edition
Will be published approx. on 10. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
558 pages
978-0-19-776275-2 (ISBN)
Description
An Introduction to Conservation Biology, fourth edition, is the only textbook designed for both biology majors, and non-science majors, offering current perspectives on urgent topics such as sustainable development, global change, and species conservation, ensuring broad accessibility and relevance across disciplines.
The content is organized around key themes: the value of biological diversity, threats to biodiversity, conservation at the species and population levels, ecosystem protection and restoration, and sustainable development, providing a comprehensive framework for teaching core concepts. Each chapter features full-color illustrations and diverse examples from recent literature, bringing complex ideas to life and enhancing student engagement. Chapters begin with foundational conservation principles and conclude with summaries, annotated reading lists, and discussion questions, supporting structured learning and facilitating classroom discussion and independent study. The authors emphasize the active role of scientists, communities, organizations, and governments in protecting biodiversity while meeting human needs, encouraging students to view conservation as a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort.
The fourth edition includes over 100 new examples and 630 updated citations-ensuring students interact with the most current research and conservation practices. Interactive figure walkthroughs and full-color visuals throughout the text improve comprehension, supporting diverse learning styles and reinforcing key concepts. Oxford Insight courseware, available with this edition, includes active learning modules, self-assessments, author videos, chapter quizzes, and performance analytics, enhancing student engagement and giving instructors tools to monitor and improve learning outcomes.
The content is organized around key themes: the value of biological diversity, threats to biodiversity, conservation at the species and population levels, ecosystem protection and restoration, and sustainable development, providing a comprehensive framework for teaching core concepts. Each chapter features full-color illustrations and diverse examples from recent literature, bringing complex ideas to life and enhancing student engagement. Chapters begin with foundational conservation principles and conclude with summaries, annotated reading lists, and discussion questions, supporting structured learning and facilitating classroom discussion and independent study. The authors emphasize the active role of scientists, communities, organizations, and governments in protecting biodiversity while meeting human needs, encouraging students to view conservation as a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort.
The fourth edition includes over 100 new examples and 630 updated citations-ensuring students interact with the most current research and conservation practices. Interactive figure walkthroughs and full-color visuals throughout the text improve comprehension, supporting diverse learning styles and reinforcing key concepts. Oxford Insight courseware, available with this edition, includes active learning modules, self-assessments, author videos, chapter quizzes, and performance analytics, enhancing student engagement and giving instructors tools to monitor and improve learning outcomes.
Reviews / Votes
Sher is a thorough, well-written introductory conservation text that is accessible and relatable for undergraduate students. The text presents current and well-researched information that is timely and important to students across a range of disciplines." - Joseph McCauley, University of Tennessee Chattanooga Sher offers an excellent overview of the field and why it exists." - Bibit Traut, City College of San Francisco The text provides a comprehensive look at conservation biology and considers a wide array of examples from across the globe. This book includes numerous modern, relevant examples of global change and its impact on biodiversity." - Michael Remke, New Mexico Highlands UniversityMore details
Edition
4th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 185 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
1066 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-776275-2 (9780197762752)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Anna A. Sher is a Professor of Biology at the University of Denver, where she has taught conservation biology since 2003. She held a joint position as the Director of Research and Conservation at Denver Botanic Gardens from 2003-2010. Dr. Sher has published books and articles for academic, trade, and popular audiences on various topics within conservation biology, including restoration ecology, rare plant conservation, and climate change. She is one of the foremost experts on the ecology of invasive Tamarix trees and was the lead editor of the book Tamarix: A Case Study of Ecological Change in the American West (Oxford University Press, 2013). She is also first author of the textbook Ecology: Concepts and Applications, 9th Ed. (McGraw-Hill Education). Dr. Sher received her Ph.D. in Biology at the University of New Mexico in 1998 and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Davis and as a Fulbright Scholar in Israel. Dr. Sher also led scientific study-abroad
programs in East Africa, and has been a visiting scholar at the University of Otago in New Zealand. She is an advocate for social justice and is currently leading a campus-wide coalition to support women and increase diversity in STEM academic professions. She and her wife and son live, work, and play in Denver, Colorado.
Eduardo Gonzalez-Sargas is a Research Scientist at Colorado State University, where he studies riparian and riverine ecosystems, with a particular focus on invasive species management and restoration. He earned his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Alcala (Spain) in 2010 and has held research positions across Europe and North America, including postdoctoral fellowships in France, Canada, and the United States. Trained as a community ecologist, his research spans topics in river ecology, wetland restoration, and the ecological impacts of environmental change. He has also contributed to discussions on the socioeconomic dimensions of conservation, including ecosystem
service valuation and science-practice integration in invasive species management. Dr. Gonzalez-Sargas's work is highly applied, aimed at informing conservation practices through adaptive management. Much of his recent research has centered on the ecological effects of biocontrol, active revegetation, and flooding in managing Tamarix invasions in dryland rivers. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to previous editions of this textbook as a contractor. He joins as a coauthor for the first time in this 4th edition. Eduardo lives with his family in Littleton, Colorado, where he enjoys hiking and is an avid tennis player.
programs in East Africa, and has been a visiting scholar at the University of Otago in New Zealand. She is an advocate for social justice and is currently leading a campus-wide coalition to support women and increase diversity in STEM academic professions. She and her wife and son live, work, and play in Denver, Colorado.
Eduardo Gonzalez-Sargas is a Research Scientist at Colorado State University, where he studies riparian and riverine ecosystems, with a particular focus on invasive species management and restoration. He earned his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Alcala (Spain) in 2010 and has held research positions across Europe and North America, including postdoctoral fellowships in France, Canada, and the United States. Trained as a community ecologist, his research spans topics in river ecology, wetland restoration, and the ecological impacts of environmental change. He has also contributed to discussions on the socioeconomic dimensions of conservation, including ecosystem
service valuation and science-practice integration in invasive species management. Dr. Gonzalez-Sargas's work is highly applied, aimed at informing conservation practices through adaptive management. Much of his recent research has centered on the ecological effects of biocontrol, active revegetation, and flooding in managing Tamarix invasions in dryland rivers. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to previous editions of this textbook as a contractor. He joins as a coauthor for the first time in this 4th edition. Eduardo lives with his family in Littleton, Colorado, where he enjoys hiking and is an avid tennis player.
Content
- 1 Defining Conservation Biology
- 1.1 The New Science of Conservation Biology
- The Roots of Conservation Biology
- A New Science Is Born
- The Interdisciplinary Approach: A Case Study with Sea Turtles
- 1.2 The Organizational Values of Conservation Biology
- 1.3 Looking to the Future
- Summary
- 2 What Is Biodiversity?
- 2.1 Species Diversity
- What Is a Species?
- Measuring Species Diversity
- 2.2 Genetic Diversity
- How Does Genetic Diversity Arise?
- Measuring Genetic Diversity
- 2.3 Ecosystem Diversity
- What Are Communities and Ecosystems?
- Species Interactions Within Ecosystems
- Trophic Levels
- Food Chains and Food Webs
- Keystone Species and Resources
- Ecosystem Dynamics
- 2.4 Biodiversity Worldwide
- How Many Species Exist Worldwide?
- Where Is the World's Biodiversity Found?
- The Distribution of Species
- Summary
- 3 The Value of Biodiversity
- 3.1 Ecological and Environmental Economics
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Financing Conservation
- What Are Species Worth?
- Ecosystem Services
- 3.2 Use Values
- Direct Use Values
- Consumptive Use Value
- Productive Use Value
- Indirect Use Values
- Ecosystem Productivity
- Water and Soil Protection
- Climate Regulation
- Species Relationships and Environmental Monitors
- Amenity Value
- Educational and Scientific Value
- 3.3 The Long-Term View: Option Value
- 3.4 Existence Value
- 3.5 Environmental Ethics
- Ethical Values of Biodiversity
- Deep Ecology
- Summary
- 4 Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Change
- 4.1 Human Population Growth and Its Impact
- 4.2 Habitat Destruction
- Tropical Rain Forests
- Other Threatened Habitats
- Desertification
- 4.3 Habitat Fragmentation
- Threats Posed by Habitat Fragmentation
- Edge Effects
- 4.4 Environmental Degradation and Pollution
- Pesticide Pollution
- Water Pollution
- Air Pollution
- 4.5 A Concluding Remark and Reason for Hope
- Summary
- 5 Climate Change and Other Threats to Biodiversity
- 5.1 Global Climate Change
- The Relationship Between Carbon and Temperature
- Cascading Effects of Increased Temperature
- Ocean Acidification, Warming, and Rising Sea Level
- Shifting Species Ranges and Other Impacts
- 5.2 Overexploitation
- International Wildlife Trade
- Commercial Harvesting
- 5.3 Invasive Species
- Threats Posed by Invasive Species
- Invasive Species on Oceanic Islands
- Invasive Species in Aquatic Habitats
- The Ability of Species to Become Invasive
- Control of Invasive Species
- Genetically Modified Organisms and Conservation Biology
- 5.4 Disease
- 5.5 A Concluding Remark
- Summary
- 6 Extinction Risk
- 6.1 The Meaning of "Extinct"
- The Current, Human-Caused Mass Extinction
- Extinction Rates in Aquatic Environments
- 6.2 Measuring Extinction
- Background Extinction Rates
- Extinction Rate Predictions and the Island Biogeography Model
- Extinction Rates and Habitat Loss
- 6.3 Vulnerability to Extinction
- 6.4 Problems of Small Populations
- Loss of Genetic Diversity
- Consequences of Reduced Genetic Diversity
- Factors That Determine Effective Population Size
- The Impact of Stochasticity
- The Extinction Vortex
- Summary
- 7 Conserving Populations and Species
- 7.1 Applied Population Biology
- Researching Existing Information
- New Data Through Fieldwork
- Population Viability Analysis
- Minimum Viable Population
- Metapopulations
- Long-Term Monitoring
- 7.2 Conservation Categories
- 7.3 Prioritization: What Should Be Protected?
- The Species Approach
- The Ecosystem Approach
- The Wilderness Approach
- The Hotspot Approach
- 7.4 Legal Protection of Species
- National Laws
- International Agreements
- Summary
- 8 Establishing New Populations and Ex Situ Conservation
- 8.1 Establishing and Reinforcing Populations
- Special Considerations for Animal Programs
- Behavioral Ecology of Released Animals
- Establishing Plant Populations
- The Status of New Populations
- 8.2 Ex Situ Conservation Strategies
- Zoos
- Aquariums
- Botanical Gardens
- Seed Banks
- 8.3 Can Technology Bring Back Extinct Species?
- Summary
- 9 Protected Areas
- 9.1 Establishment and Classification of Protected Areas
- Marine Protected Areas
- The Effectiveness of Protected Areas
- Measuring Effectiveness: Gap Analysis
- 9.2 Designing Protected Areas
- Protected Area Size and Characteristics
- 9.3 Networks of Protected Areas
- Habitat Corridors
- 9.4 Landscape Ecology and Park Design
- 9.5 Managing Protected Areas
- Managing Sites
- Monitoring Sites
- Management and People
- Zoning as a Solution to Conflicting Demands
- Biosphere Reserves
- 9.6 Challenges to Protected Area Management
- Poaching
- Trophy Hunting
- Human-Animal Conflict
- Degradation
- Climate Change
- Funding and Personnel
- Summary
- 10 Conservation Outside Protected Areas
- 10.1 The Value of Unprotected Habitat
- Military Land
- Unprotected Ecosystems
- Land That Is Undesirable to Humans
- Private Land
- 10.2 Conservation in Urban and Other Human-Dominated Areas
- Urban Areas
- Other Human-Dominated Landscapes
- 10.3 Ecosystem Management
- 10.4 Working with Local People
- In Situ Agricultural Conservation
- Extractive Reserves
- Community-Based Initiatives
- Payments for Ecosystem Services
- Evaluating Conservation Initiatives That Involve Traditional Societies
- 10.5 Case Studies: Namibia and Kenya
- Summary
- 11 Restoration Ecology
- 11.1 Where to Start?
- 11.2 Restoration in Urban Areas
- 11.3 Restoration Using Animals
- 11.4 Moving Targets of Restoration
- 11.5 Restoration of Some Major Communities
- Wetlands
- Aquatic Systems
- Grasslands
- Tropical Dry Forest in Costa Rica
- 11.6 The Future of Restoration Ecology
- Summary
- 12 Sustainable Development
- 12.1 Sustainable Development at the Local Level
- Local and Regional Conservation Regulations
- Land Trusts and Related Strategies
- Enforcement and Public Benefits
- 12.2 Conservation at the National Level
- 12.3 International Approaches to Sustainable Development
- International Earth Summits
- International Agreements That Protect Habitat
- 12.4 Funding for Conservation
- International Assistance
- Other Sources of Funding
- How Effective Is Conservation Funding in Achieving Sustainability Goals?
- 12.5 Noneconomic Aspects of Sustainability
- 12.6 Degrowth as a New Way to Approach Sustainable Development
- Summary
- 13 An Agenda for the Future
- 13.1 Ongoing Problems and Possible Solutions
- 13.2 The Role of Conservation Biologists
- Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence
- Achieving the Agenda
- Summary
- Appendix
- Glossary
- Credits
- References
- Index
- 1.1 The New Science of Conservation Biology
- The Roots of Conservation Biology
- A New Science Is Born
- The Interdisciplinary Approach: A Case Study with Sea Turtles
- 1.2 The Organizational Values of Conservation Biology
- 1.3 Looking to the Future
- Summary
- 2 What Is Biodiversity?
- 2.1 Species Diversity
- What Is a Species?
- Measuring Species Diversity
- 2.2 Genetic Diversity
- How Does Genetic Diversity Arise?
- Measuring Genetic Diversity
- 2.3 Ecosystem Diversity
- What Are Communities and Ecosystems?
- Species Interactions Within Ecosystems
- Trophic Levels
- Food Chains and Food Webs
- Keystone Species and Resources
- Ecosystem Dynamics
- 2.4 Biodiversity Worldwide
- How Many Species Exist Worldwide?
- Where Is the World's Biodiversity Found?
- The Distribution of Species
- Summary
- 3 The Value of Biodiversity
- 3.1 Ecological and Environmental Economics
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Financing Conservation
- What Are Species Worth?
- Ecosystem Services
- 3.2 Use Values
- Direct Use Values
- Consumptive Use Value
- Productive Use Value
- Indirect Use Values
- Ecosystem Productivity
- Water and Soil Protection
- Climate Regulation
- Species Relationships and Environmental Monitors
- Amenity Value
- Educational and Scientific Value
- 3.3 The Long-Term View: Option Value
- 3.4 Existence Value
- 3.5 Environmental Ethics
- Ethical Values of Biodiversity
- Deep Ecology
- Summary
- 4 Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Change
- 4.1 Human Population Growth and Its Impact
- 4.2 Habitat Destruction
- Tropical Rain Forests
- Other Threatened Habitats
- Desertification
- 4.3 Habitat Fragmentation
- Threats Posed by Habitat Fragmentation
- Edge Effects
- 4.4 Environmental Degradation and Pollution
- Pesticide Pollution
- Water Pollution
- Air Pollution
- 4.5 A Concluding Remark and Reason for Hope
- Summary
- 5 Climate Change and Other Threats to Biodiversity
- 5.1 Global Climate Change
- The Relationship Between Carbon and Temperature
- Cascading Effects of Increased Temperature
- Ocean Acidification, Warming, and Rising Sea Level
- Shifting Species Ranges and Other Impacts
- 5.2 Overexploitation
- International Wildlife Trade
- Commercial Harvesting
- 5.3 Invasive Species
- Threats Posed by Invasive Species
- Invasive Species on Oceanic Islands
- Invasive Species in Aquatic Habitats
- The Ability of Species to Become Invasive
- Control of Invasive Species
- Genetically Modified Organisms and Conservation Biology
- 5.4 Disease
- 5.5 A Concluding Remark
- Summary
- 6 Extinction Risk
- 6.1 The Meaning of "Extinct"
- The Current, Human-Caused Mass Extinction
- Extinction Rates in Aquatic Environments
- 6.2 Measuring Extinction
- Background Extinction Rates
- Extinction Rate Predictions and the Island Biogeography Model
- Extinction Rates and Habitat Loss
- 6.3 Vulnerability to Extinction
- 6.4 Problems of Small Populations
- Loss of Genetic Diversity
- Consequences of Reduced Genetic Diversity
- Factors That Determine Effective Population Size
- The Impact of Stochasticity
- The Extinction Vortex
- Summary
- 7 Conserving Populations and Species
- 7.1 Applied Population Biology
- Researching Existing Information
- New Data Through Fieldwork
- Population Viability Analysis
- Minimum Viable Population
- Metapopulations
- Long-Term Monitoring
- 7.2 Conservation Categories
- 7.3 Prioritization: What Should Be Protected?
- The Species Approach
- The Ecosystem Approach
- The Wilderness Approach
- The Hotspot Approach
- 7.4 Legal Protection of Species
- National Laws
- International Agreements
- Summary
- 8 Establishing New Populations and Ex Situ Conservation
- 8.1 Establishing and Reinforcing Populations
- Special Considerations for Animal Programs
- Behavioral Ecology of Released Animals
- Establishing Plant Populations
- The Status of New Populations
- 8.2 Ex Situ Conservation Strategies
- Zoos
- Aquariums
- Botanical Gardens
- Seed Banks
- 8.3 Can Technology Bring Back Extinct Species?
- Summary
- 9 Protected Areas
- 9.1 Establishment and Classification of Protected Areas
- Marine Protected Areas
- The Effectiveness of Protected Areas
- Measuring Effectiveness: Gap Analysis
- 9.2 Designing Protected Areas
- Protected Area Size and Characteristics
- 9.3 Networks of Protected Areas
- Habitat Corridors
- 9.4 Landscape Ecology and Park Design
- 9.5 Managing Protected Areas
- Managing Sites
- Monitoring Sites
- Management and People
- Zoning as a Solution to Conflicting Demands
- Biosphere Reserves
- 9.6 Challenges to Protected Area Management
- Poaching
- Trophy Hunting
- Human-Animal Conflict
- Degradation
- Climate Change
- Funding and Personnel
- Summary
- 10 Conservation Outside Protected Areas
- 10.1 The Value of Unprotected Habitat
- Military Land
- Unprotected Ecosystems
- Land That Is Undesirable to Humans
- Private Land
- 10.2 Conservation in Urban and Other Human-Dominated Areas
- Urban Areas
- Other Human-Dominated Landscapes
- 10.3 Ecosystem Management
- 10.4 Working with Local People
- In Situ Agricultural Conservation
- Extractive Reserves
- Community-Based Initiatives
- Payments for Ecosystem Services
- Evaluating Conservation Initiatives That Involve Traditional Societies
- 10.5 Case Studies: Namibia and Kenya
- Summary
- 11 Restoration Ecology
- 11.1 Where to Start?
- 11.2 Restoration in Urban Areas
- 11.3 Restoration Using Animals
- 11.4 Moving Targets of Restoration
- 11.5 Restoration of Some Major Communities
- Wetlands
- Aquatic Systems
- Grasslands
- Tropical Dry Forest in Costa Rica
- 11.6 The Future of Restoration Ecology
- Summary
- 12 Sustainable Development
- 12.1 Sustainable Development at the Local Level
- Local and Regional Conservation Regulations
- Land Trusts and Related Strategies
- Enforcement and Public Benefits
- 12.2 Conservation at the National Level
- 12.3 International Approaches to Sustainable Development
- International Earth Summits
- International Agreements That Protect Habitat
- 12.4 Funding for Conservation
- International Assistance
- Other Sources of Funding
- How Effective Is Conservation Funding in Achieving Sustainability Goals?
- 12.5 Noneconomic Aspects of Sustainability
- 12.6 Degrowth as a New Way to Approach Sustainable Development
- Summary
- 13 An Agenda for the Future
- 13.1 Ongoing Problems and Possible Solutions
- 13.2 The Role of Conservation Biologists
- Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence
- Achieving the Agenda
- Summary
- Appendix
- Glossary
- Credits
- References
- Index