Conservation Biology: An Introduction for Southern Australia

This is the first introductory text on conservation biology to focus clearly on southern Australia and the problems that face its native animals and plants and their habitats as a result of human interference. Beginning with a comprehensive discussion of the broad principles of conservation biology and its importance in Australia, Conservation Biology covers: the development of conservation practive and theory in Australia, using local examples to provide a framework for understanding; the extent and nature of the need for conservation in southern Australia; extinction and its significance; the meanings, levels, and interpretation of the concept of biodiversity; the notion of rarity, and its evaluation in terms of establishing the conservation status of flora and fauna; approaches to species and ecosystem conservation, including reserve design and setting priorities for conservation management, conservation beyond reserves, and ex situ conservation (encompassing captive breeding and reintroduction); the considerable number of threats to species and ecosystems; Australia's conservation responsibilities in a global context.
Conservation Biology features a series of topical case histories that highlight management issues and some of the successes and disappointments that have occurred, and each chapter includes suggestions for further reading.