Understanding Biodiversity

The idea of biodiversity has become increasingly important for those who wish to preserve and protect the varieties of life on Earth. While most works on biodiversity look at only three components-the diversity of genes, of species, and of ecosystems-Understanding Biodiversity examines the diversity of life in all of its manifestations. The living world is diverse in many ways. Animals and plants vary greatly in their size and shape, in their behavior, in how they reproduce, in how they sense the surrounding world. Understanding Biodiversity argues that there are many ways in which biodiversity has an intrinsic value - for humans, and for the living world as a whole - and that biodiversity should be better understood and appreciated by everyone, not just those in the scientific community. Only through such comprehension and appreciation will we come to value and protect biodiversity more than we do now. Humanity can only gain from such an expanded view.

Table of Contents:
Preface 1. The Living Planet: The Unity and Diversity of Life 2. Diversity, Complexity, and Natural Selection 3. Species Diversity 4. Diversity within Species 5. Deep Biodiversity: Diversity "Above" the Species Level 6. Genetic Diversity 7. Diversity of Ecosystems and Ecological Interactions 8. Four Billion Years of Temporal Diversity 9. Morphological Diversity 10. Metabolic Diversity 11. Sensory Diversity 12. Reproductive and Sexual Diversity 13. Life Cycle Diversity 14. Behavioral and Cultural Diversity 15. Systematics: Elucidating and Representing Biodiversity 16. Biodiversity and Values 17. Comprehending Biodiversity Glossary Recommended Books Index

About the Author :
David Zeigler is Associate Professor of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He teaches a variety of courses, on invertebrate zoology, zoology, entomology, parasitology, animal behavior, evolution, marine biology, neurobiology, and general biology.

Review :
Zeigler expands upon the usual notion of the concept of biodiversity as embracing diversity among species, genes, and ecological interactions. He argues for a broader definition and considers other parameters. After a review of the common characteristics of living organisms, he provides a synopsis of species diversity and the increasing complexity of living organisms, and then elaborates on diversity within species. He goes on to summarize genetic and ecosystem diversity, and then adds chapters on temporal, morphological, metabolic, sensory, reproductive, life cycle, behavioral, and systematic diversity…. His purpose in writing the book is to pique interest in earth's biodiversity in all its manifestations. Biology educators, especially those teaching non-majors, should consider asking students to read this book as an introduction to the life sciences. Recommended. Lower-/upper-level undergraduates and general readers. It is certainly a book to set undergraduates thinking. Writing for a general readership, Zeigler introduces the science of biodiversity. He describes a variety of types of biodiversity, including diversity within and between species, genetic diversity, diversity of ecosystems and ecological interactions, temporal diversity, metabolic diversity, reproductive and sexual diversity, and even behavioral and cultural diversity. He also discusses systematics as a means of representing biodiversity and considers what the implications of understanding biodiversity have to due with social and environmental values.