Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Theme 1 What is environmental biology?
- Theme 2 The scientific method and the unifying theories of modern biology
- Theme 3 Applying scientific method – understanding biodiversity
- Theme 4 Applying scientific method – biodiversity and the environment
- Theme 5 The future – applying scientific method to conserving biodiversity and restoring degraded environments
- Glossary
- Index
Theme 5 - The future – applying scientific method to conserving biodiversity and restoring degraded environments
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Theme 1 What is environmental biology?
- Theme 2 The scientific method and the unifying theories of modern biology
- Theme 3 Applying scientific method – understanding biodiversity
- Theme 4 Applying scientific method – biodiversity and the environment
- Theme 5 The future – applying scientific method to conserving biodiversity and restoring degraded environments
- Glossary
- Index
Summary
In introducing the discipline of conservation biology Gary Meffe, C. Ronald Carroll and Martha Groom stated three unifying principles:
Evolution unites all biology (the evolutionary play).
The ecological world is dynamic (the ecological theatre).
Humans must be included in conservation planning (people are part of the play).
Your study so far in Environmental Biology should leave you in no doubt about all three maxims, but we have not yet discussed how to integrate the human element with your understanding of evolution and ecology.
In this final theme of Environmental Biology we apply your knowledge and understanding from the earlier themes to solving applied conservation problems or to redressing environmental damage. Good scientific method is at the core of all solutions, complemented by a thorough understanding of biodiversity and the interactions of species through the application of evolutionary and ecological principles.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Environmental Biology , pp. 537Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009