The Diversity of LifeW. W. Norton & Company, 1999 - 424 Seiten In this book a master scientist tells the story of how life on earth evolved. Edward O. Wilson eloquently describes how the species of the world became diverse and why that diversity is threatened today as never before. A great spasm of extinction -- the disappearance of whole species -- is occurring now, caused this time entirely by humans. Unlike the deterioration of the physical environment, which can be halted, the loss of biodiversity is a far more complex problem -- and it is irreversible. Defining a new environmental ethic, Wilson explains why we must rescue whole ecosystems, not only individual species. He calls for an end to conservation versus development arguments, and he outlines the massive shift in priorities needed to address this challenge. No writer, no scientist, is more qualified than Edward O. Wilson to describe, as he does here, the grandeur of evolution and what is at stake. Engaging and nontechnical prose. . . . Prodigious erudition. . . . Original and fascinating insights. -- John Terborgh, New York Review of Books, front page review Eloquent. . . . A profound and enduring contribution. -- Alan Burdick, Audubon |
Inhalt
Storm over the Amazon 3445 | 3 |
Krakatau | 16 |
The Great Extinctions | 24 |
The Fundamental Unit | 35 |
New Species | 51 |
The Forces of Evolution | 75 |
Adaptive Radiation | 94 |
The Unexplored Biosphere | 131 |
The Human Impact | 213 |
Biodiversity Threatened | 243 |
Unmined Riches | 281 |
Resolution | 311 |
The Environmental Ethic | 343 |
Notes | 355 |
Glossary | 391 |
Acknowledgments | 408 |
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Häufige Begriffe und Wortgruppen
adaptive radiation algae Amazon ants arthropods bacteria beetles biodiversity biological diversity biologists birds breeding butterflies cell chromosomes cichlid close create Darwin's finches earth Ecology ecosystems endangered endemic environment environmental estimate evolution evolutionary evolved example exist extinction rates fauna and flora feed fish flowering plants fossil fungi genes genetic genus geographical geological global grow habitat human hybrids individuals insects invertebrate island isolated keystone species kinds Krakatau Lake Victoria land large numbers macroevolution mammals meters microorganisms million years ago mites mollusks National native natural selection niches North America number of species nutrients occur organisms original percent phylum plant species plants and animals polyploid populations predators rain forests Rakata range reproductive reptiles Science shark single soil South specialized spiders square kilometers subspecies survival theory tion traits trees tropical forests tropical rain forests United vegetation warbler wild woodpecker