Endangered Animals: A Reference Guide to Conflicting Issues - Hardcover

Miller, Brian; Reading, Richard P.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0313308160 ISBN 13: 9780313308161

Publisher: Greenwood, 2000

Synopsis

Explore the multiple issues that surround species declines and conservation efforts through the only reference source to examine the conflicting conservation issues of 49 endangered species. While the causes of endangerment are relatively easy to understand, the ultimate or underlying factors are often far more complex and difficult to address. An introduction to these issues and how to resolve them is provided in this unique collection of case studies of animal species that have been pushed to the brink of extinction. Each case study provides the following information: - Common name - Scientific name - Order - Family - Status - Threats - Habitat - Distribution - Natural history - Conflicting Issues - Future and Prognosis.

Conservationists are increasingly recognizing that the ultimate causes of extinction are primarily socio-economic and political, yet biological approaches to recovery continue to dominate. More inclusive, interdisciplinary conservation programs are explored here to offer better prospects for managing problems and conflicts. In addition to the case studies, trends and common themes are explored to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to conservation. Students and teachers can explore a wide variety of endangered species programs and the conflicting issues common to recovery efforts, which will enable them to evaluate conservation practice and to draw their own conclusions for improvement.

About this title

About the Author

RICHARD P. READING is the Director of Conservation Biology at the Denver Zoo and an Associate Research Professor at the University of Denver. He is the coauthor of Endangered Species Recovery and Prairie Night: Black-footed Ferrets and the Recovery of Endangered Species.

BRIAN MILLER is a Conservation Biologist at the Denver Zoo. He is the coauthor of Prairie Night: Black-footed Ferrets and the Recovery of Endangered Species.

Reviews

To outline the scope of this text, here are a few statistics: 70 authors representing 16 different countries summarize case study information on 49 species, subspecies, or groups of species on the brink of extinction.The authors are experts on their particular animals and are largely native to the country of the animal's main habitat. Entries are in alphabetical order by the common name of the endangered species, from African wild dog to Yuma clapper rail . Each entry is approximately 2,500 words in length and begins with a boxed section listing the common name, scientific name, order, family, status, threats, habitat, and distribution. This information is followed by a narrative that includes a description of the animal, its natural history, conflicting issues surrounding its endangerment, and the prognosis for its future. The language is more technical than the average reader would ordinarily tackle. All measurements are in metric, with no American standard equivalents given. Illustrations are limited to color plates in the center of the volume.The section on animals is followed by a chapter called "Interdisciplinary Problem Solving in Endangered Species Conservation: The Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Case." Here, the author looks at the dynamics of successfully preserving a species in the face of opposing agendas of the scientific, political, economic, and social communities. The tables and figures are particularly helpful in summarizing the process. The final chapter, "Conclusions: Causes of Endangerment and Conflicts in Recovery," also has many tables that summarize the issues and actions on behalf of endangered species. There is a short list of conservation organizations, as well as a glossary and a list of references by chapter.This volume will be extremely useful in academic libraries, and most public libraries will also need a copy. Its use in high schools will be limited to those with strong biology curricula. It could be helpful in teaching the skill of reading technical material, which is an objective in many schools. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Reading and Miller (Prairie Night: Black-Footed Ferrets and the Recovery of Endangered Species) are conservation biologists who present 49 case studies of endangered animals. The case studies are signed and represent the work of 70 individuals from 16 countries. They give the common name, scientific name, order, family, status, a list of threats, habitats, distribution, natural history, conflicting issues, and prognosis for each animal. They further provide a list of selected conservation organizations. An essay on the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear case by Tim W. Clark is also included, as is an essay by the editors. Gale's Encyclopedia of Endangered Species (LJ 1/95), which covers over 700 animals and plants, is obviously wider in scope, but it is less scholarly and extensive for the animals covered here. The Official World Wildlife Fund Guide to Endangered Species of North America (LJ 6/15/92. o.p.) is a solid tool but limited by region. The Grolier World Encyclopedia of Endangered Species (Grolier, 1992. o.p.) offers color pictures, which this lacks. Although the number of animals is limited, this guide is recommended for academic libraries requiring more detailed, scholarly information on specific animals and for the bibliography provided for each animal. Paul Haschak, Southeastern Louisiana Univ. Lib., Hammond
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenwood
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0313308160
• ISBN 13: 9780313308161
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 416