In the life sciences, there is wide-ranging debate about biodiversity. While nearly everyone is in favor of biodiversity and its conservation, methods for its assessment vary enormously. So what exactly is biodiversity? Most theoretical work on the subject assumes it has something to do with species richness—with the number of species in a particular region—but in reality, it is much more than that. Arguing that we cannot make rational decisions about what it is to be protected without knowing what biodiversity is, James Maclaurin and Kim Sterelny offer in What Is Biodiversity? a theoretical and conceptual exploration of the biological world and how diversity is valued.
Here, Maclaurin and Sterelny explore not only the origins of the concept of biodiversity, but also how that concept has been shaped by ecology and more recently by conservation biology. They explain the different types of biodiversity important in evolutionary theory, developmental biology, ecology, morphology and taxonomy and conclude that biological heritage is rich in not just one biodiversity but many. Maclaurin and Sterelny also explore the case for the conservation of these biodiversities using option value theory, a tool borrowed from economics.
An erudite, provocative, timely, and creative attempt to answer a fundamental question, What Is Biodiversity? will become a foundational text in the life sciences and studies thereof.
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“Maclaurin and Sterelny’s What Is Biodiversity? is a truly impressive achievement. The concept of ‘biodiversity’ is much used though equally abused. Their proposed pluralistic, multidimensional account of biodiversity centered around species richness leads the way forward through studies of diversity in ecology and conservation biology, and also in important areas like paleontology and developmental biology. Anyone interested in debates over biological diversity and its values simply must read this book.”—Jay Odenbaugh, Lewis and Clark College
(Jay Odenbaugh, Lewis and Clark College)“What Is Biodiversity? is essential reading for philosophers of biology, environmental philosophers, conservation biologists, and, indeed, anyone interested in one of the most pressing issues of our time: the conservation of biodiversity. Maclaurin and Sterelny have written an important book, but it’s also a terrific read. The writing is clear and economical, the argumentation is tight, and the result is a very engaging book. It is sure to have a significant impact on both the philosophical and the biological work on biodiversity.”—Mark Colyvan, University of Sydney
(Mark Colyvan, University of Sydney)"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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Book Description Condition: New. Arguing that we can not make rational decisions about what it is to be protected without knowing what biodiversity is, this title offers a theoretical and conceptual exploration of the biological world and how diversity is valued. It explains the different types of biodiversity important in evolutionary theory, developmental biology, and ecology. Num Pages: 224 pages, 14 halftones, 19 line drawings, 2 tables. BIC Classification: PS; RNCB. Category: (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 230 x 165 x 13. Weight in Grams: 322. . 2008. 1st Edition. Paperback. . . . . Seller Inventory # V9780226500812
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