11 Best Books on Conservation Biology

”Conservation Biology: A Primer for South Asia” by Kamaljit Richard Meera” Book Review: This book covers the fundamental principles of conservation biology and related topics. It is divided into seven chapters with each chapter consisting of sub-chapters, sections, and boxes. The end of each chapter includes a summary and suggested readings, which provide brief explanations of the references. While the book contains basic information on topics such as biodiversity, food chains and webs, and natural extinction rates, it also covers emerging topics including ecological economics, common property resources, environmental ethics, and extinction vortices. The book is accompanied by black-and-white pictures which are informative and captivating, and the captions to pictures and diagrams are a great source of information. These minor details add to the overall appeal of the book and make it a valuable resource for students studying conservation biology.

“Conservation Biology: Foundations, Concepts, Applications” Book Review: This book offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to discussing the historical, ethical, economic, and ecological foundations of conservation biology. It covers a wide range of concepts, including the history and distinctions of conservation biology, values and ethics in conservation, legal foundations of conservation, biodiversity measurement and conservation in the context of climate change, genetic diversity, population management and restoration, habitat and landscape conservation, aquatic system conservation, ecosystem management, conservation economics, and the practicalities of becoming a conservation biologist. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complex and multifaceted field of conservation biology.

“Capturing Wildlife Moments in India” Book Review: This photo-centric book aims to raise awareness about the alarming decline in wildlife populations and the urgent need for conservation efforts. It features stunning photographs of animals and birds, along with brief descriptions of each picture, including the animal’s introduction, location, and the photographer’s experience. The book’s contents include the author’s perspective, thirteen ways forward, tiger tales, wildlife moments, special concession packages for school children, IUCN species classification and status, camera and techniques, visited wildlife locations, interesting places to stay, acknowledgments, and an index of photographs. The book’s primary objective is to increase public awareness of the critical situation facing wildlife in India and encourage their conservation.

“Amphibian Survey and Monitoring Handbook (Conservation Handbooks)” Book Review: This book provides detailed information on the most effective methods for conducting an amphibian survey, including survey techniques and best practices. It covers a wide range of topics, including an introduction to amphibians, their diversity, and the various orders such as Anura (frogs and toads), Caudata (newts and salamanders), and Gymnophonia (caecilians). The book also covers the essential steps to be taken before conducting a survey, such as obtaining survey permissions and licences, ensuring health and safety, and biosecurity measures. Additionally, it discusses various survey methods and resources available to help conduct effective amphibian surveys. This book is a valuable resource for anyone involved in amphibian surveying and monitoring.

“Conservation and the Use of Wildlife Resources (Conservation Biology)” Book Review: This book provides insights into the conservation of wildlife and presents various effective methods for utilizing wildlife resources sustainably. The book covers a range of topics, including the subsistence use of wildlife, conservation and use of wildlife in the modern world, sustainability, conservation controversies and concerns, mariculture for sustainable exploitation of giant clams, exploitation and conservation of butterflies in the Indo-Australian region, integrated approaches to managing Crocodilia, management of gamebirds, birds of prey, and modern falconry, deer management in Scotland, supplying primates for research, veterinary risks and public health issues, wildlife utilization, conservation and captivity, ecotourism, and a synthesis and conclusions section.

“Wildlife Conservation by Sustainable Use (Conservation Biology)” Book Review: This book advocates for the conservation of wildlife through sustainable development. Its contents cover a wide range of topics including ranching, wildlife tourism, and traditional African wildlife utilization. Case studies from various African countries are presented to showcase successful examples of conservation efforts. The book also delves into the economic aspects of wildlife utilization, such as the financial feasibility of game cropping and the potential benefits of hunting. The overall goal of the book is to promote the idea that wildlife conservation and sustainable land use can coexist, with proper management and planning.

“Conservation Biology: The Theory and Practice of Nature Conservation Preservation and Management” Book Review: The book delves into the theory of nature conservation, focusing on preservation and management. Its contents cover a variety of topics, such as species richness in plant communities, rarity in vascular plant species, peasant farming systems, and the loss of biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. It also examines threats to invertebrate biodiversity, forest fragmentation, and issues of scale in conservation biology. The book discusses stochastic modeling of extinction in plant populations, genetic and demographic considerations in sampling and reintroduction of rare plants, ecological management of sensitive natural areas, park protection, and the role of ecological restoration in conservation biology. The book concludes with a discussion on why species and wildlands conservation is essential.

“Primate Ecology and Conservation (Techniques in Ecology and Conservation)” Book Review: This book focuses on presenting new and emerging methods for studying primates in a changing world, covering both field and laboratory techniques, data analysis, and the latest approaches for conservation management. The authors particularly highlight innovative methods such as non-invasive genetic techniques and advanced spatial modeling, while also addressing conservation status and threats to primate populations throughout the volume. In addition to data interpretation, the book provides guidance on planning research projects in primate ecology and conservation, including choosing a field site, acquiring research permits, and connecting with local authorities, communities, and researchers.

“An Introduction to Conservation Biology” Book Review: This book highlights the importance of biological diversity and its value, while also discussing the various threats to it. It covers conservation at both population and species levels, as well as protecting, managing, and restoring ecosystems in the context of sustainable development. The twelve chapters are organized to cover these topics and each begins with general principles, accompanied by full-color illustrations and examples from current literature. The chapters conclude with summaries, annotated reading lists, discussion questions, and summary statements in the margins to aid in studying.

“Great Apes and Humans: The Ethics of Coexistence (Zoo and Aquarium Biology and Conservation Series)” Book Review: This book offers a range of perspectives on human responsibilities towards great apes. It covers various topics such as great apes in the wild, their conservation, captivity, evolution, ethics, and legal rights. The book includes a foreword that discusses the problems faced by wild and captive chimpanzees and their solutions. Each chapter presents general ideas and principles, and is illustrated with diverse examples from current literature. The book concludes with summaries, annotated lists of suggested readings, and discussion questions to aid study.

“Important Bird Areas of Maharashtra: Priority Sites for Conservation” Book Review: This volume is part of a series of books on important bird areas (IBAs) of specific states, which is an extension of Important Bird Areas in India: Priority Sites for Conservation (2004) that described 466 IBAs for India. This book provides comprehensive information about the IBAs in the state of Maharashtra. As a part of the IBAs series, this book has up-to-date scientific information on twenty important sites which need conservation attention. Also contains information on seven additional sites that have been identified by using the global IBA criteria set by BirdLife International, UK.