Paleontology - General & Miscellaneous, Dinosaurs, Environmental Conservation & Protection of Biodiversity, Biology - General & Miscellaneous

The Biodiversity Crisis

Name: The Biodiversity Crisis
Author: Michael J. Novacek
ISBN: 9781565845701

by Novacek, Michael J., Futter, Ellen V.

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Overview

The fastest mass extinction of species in Earth's history, intriguingly explored in an illustrated companion to the American Museum of Natural History's permanent exhibit. The Biodiversity Crisis offers general audiences a clear understanding of the current threat to life on Earth posed by the fastest mass extinction in Earth's history, which has taken place over the last five hundred years. Unlike prior extinctions, this one is clearly a direct result of human activity, not of natural phenomena. Yet the public remains unaware of the crisis in sustaining biodiversity—the variety and interdependence of all living things on Earth. Published in conjunction with the American Museum of Natural History, whose major Hall of Biodiversity recently opened to great acclaim, the book defines biodiversity, demonstrates its importance to life as we know it, and presents strategies and solutions, including what we can do in our own homes and communities, for stopping the escalating rate of species' extinction. It combines essays by experts including E. O. Wilson, Niles Eldredge, and Peter Raven; profiles of naturalists such as Jane Goodall; and case studies. Engaging and accessible, The Biodiversity Crisis presents the best scientific thinking in language and images that we can all understand, and is illustrated with photographs and drawings and supplemented with a resource section and a glossary of key terms. Black-and-white photographs and illustrations throughout.

The New Press is pleased to announce the publication of this new title with the American Museum of Natural History, a collaboration that began with the publication of Epidemic! in 2000.

Founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City is one of the world's preeminent institutions for scientific research and education, visited by more than four million people annually. Three new titles, Earth, The Biodiversity Crisis, and Cosmic Horizons, are companion volumes to three major new permanent exhibitions at the museum: the David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth, the Hall of Biodiversity, and the Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space.

Author Biography: Dr. Michael Novacek is senior vice president and provost of science at the American Museum of Natural History. He is also the curator of the Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, and is a specialist on fossil mammals.

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Editorials

KLIATT

This is another title in the attractive American Museum of Natural History series on science. It addresses the crucial biodiversity issue in a straightforward, readable and encompassing format, from "What's This Biodiversity and What's It Done for Us Today?" to the nitty-gritty of deforestation, extinctions past and present, and solutions for saving biodiversity. A different specialist writes each chapter. It is well illustrated with good photographs, drawings and graphs. It would make a good supplementary textbook or stand well as a resource for a high school science student, but any lay reader with an interest in this area will find something of interest. The mini-case studies (such as "Reefs in Crisis" and "The Green Guerrillas, New York City") and personal profiles of scientists and activists are an added attraction to this well-rounded and informative book. Recommended for all libraries. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2001, Norton, The New Press, 221p. illus., $19.95. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Katherine E. Gillen; Libn., Luke AFB Lib., AZ , September 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 5)

Library Journal

This illustrated companion to the American Museum of Natural History's new Hall of Biodiversity features essays by writers with good credentials such as Edward O. Wilson, who attempt to help the general reader understand what is meant by "biodiversity" and why it is important. In doing so, they place a dollar value on the plants and animals in crisis, citing benefits such as ecotourism and anti-cancer drugs. These are, however, emotional and economic issues, not science. While some articles offer some scientific truth--Niles Eldredge's essay on extinction provides a rational explanation of the difference between the five mass extinctions of the past and the alleged current one brought on by humans--the underlying message is that "human influence is bad for all ecosystems; we're killing everything." The only solutions proposed here are warm, fuzzy ones that don't address the biggest factor in the biodiversity crisis, human overpopulation. Richard Fortey's Life (LJ 4/1/98) provides a better description of extinctions and their effects on future species. Recommended for larger collections that include scientific explanations and rationales.--Mary J. Nickum, Lakewood, CO Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\