Conservation Biogeography

This book provides an authoritative and concise overview of the key themes and emerging concepts in conservation biogeography. It serves as an introduction to the subject and a strong framework for more advanced undergraduate or Masters level courses. Each of the ten chapters establishes the state of knowledge, the key questions, major uncertainties and research needs. The book opens with a short section examining the origins and philosophical roots of conservation biogeography and then move on to addressing the challenges and practical applications of mapping biodiversity at different spatial scales in a rapidly changing world. The varying design principles of networks of protected areas, and major approaches adopted hitherto in this endeavour, and the implications of habitat loss, fragmentation and alteration, plus issues associated with biological invasions form much of the core material of the volume. The book concludes with a critical assessment of the scale of the future conservation challenge and research needs and directions.

Richard J. Ladle was the founding Director of Oxford University's MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management. Since 2009 he has been working in Brazil as an international conservation consultant and science writer. He is currently a Visiting Professor at the Federal University of Alagoas, teaching and doing research on diverse and interdisciplinary aspects of conservation, biogeography and ecology. Robert J Whittaker is the current Academic Director of the MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management, and holds the title of Professor of Biogeography in the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford. He is a founding member and past President (2009-2010) of the International Biogeography Society and since 2004 has been the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Biogeography. He has a longstanding interest in island biogeography, patterns and processes controlling diversity, and the application of biogeography to conservation.