Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Change: Using palaeoecology to manage dynamic landscapes in the Anthropocene - Hardcover

Gillson, Lindsey

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198713037 ISBN 13: 9780198713036

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2015

Synopsis

Ecosystems today are dynamic and complex, leaving conservationists faced with the paradox of conserving moving targets. New approaches to conservation are now required that aim to conserve ecological function and process, rather than attempt to protect static snapshots of biodiversity. To do this effectively, long-term information on ecosystem variability and resilience is needed. While there is a wealth of such information in palaeoecology, archaeology, and historical ecology, it remains an underused resource by conservation ecologists. In bringing together the disciplines of neo- and palaeoecology and integrating them with conservation biology, this novel text illustrates how an understanding of long-term change in ecosystems can in turn inform and influence their conservation and management in the Anthropocene. By looking at the history of traditional management, climate change, disturbance, and land-use, the book describes how a long-term perspective on landscape change can inform current and pressing conservation questions such as whether elephants should be culled, how best to manage fire, and whether ecosystems can or should be "re-wilded"

Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Change is suitable for senior undergraduate and post-graduate students in conservation ecology, palaeoecology, biodiversity conservation, landscape ecology, environmental change and natural resource management. It will also be of relevance and use to a global market of conservation practitioners, researchers, educators and policy-makers.

About this title

Product Description

[ Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Change: Using Palaeoecology to Manage Dynamic Landscapes in the Anthropocene By ( Author ) Jun-2015 Hardcover

Review

This is an often thoughtful book which presents the value of palaeoecological research and data over timescales which embrace not just the Anthropocene, but long periods preceding it. (Kevin J. Edwards, Biodiversity and Conservation)

[T]his volume represents an important, and largely successful, attempt to highlight connections between paleoecology (and historical ecology) and applied ecology. At a time when scientists are increasingly specialists, Gillson's generalist approach should be commended. (Charles B. Yackulic, Quarterly Review of Biology)

[A] book like this that raises awareness and sets a strong case for making the effort is very necessary and should be widely welcomed. (Althea Davies, Trends in Ecology & Evolution)

The role of palaeoecology in improving understanding and shaping long term responses is stressed throughout. The case studies are varied in terms of both scale and location, ranging from African Savannas to New England...I have no hesitation in commending this valuable and scholarly book. It opens up new ground and makes connections that are long overdue and of real practical and theoretical significance. (Frank Oldfield, Editor, The Anthropocene Review.)

an excellent text for a graduate or advanced undergraduate seminar in conservation biology, environmental policy, or, ideally, those linking the two (Thomas L. Fleischner, Ecology)

Gillson has provided a valuable, well-written, easy to understand book that demonstrates the practical and theoretical interconnectedness of past, present and future ecology. (Matthew McDowell, Austral Ecology)

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0198713037
• ISBN 13: 9780198713036
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 230