The Editors of this book, Vincenzo Penteriani and Mario Melletti, have assembled an impressive list of contributors to cover a wide range of topics for scientists and managers working with bears around the world. Beyond this professional audience, the book is also an informative reference source for lay individuals interested in the life histories of these charismatic carnivores. That said, the relative abundance of technical jargon might make it difficult for many lay persons to understand some of the more complex concepts and relationships.
Part I provides an overview of the evolutionary history, systematics and genetics of the Ursidae family and its cultural significance to people. The importance of molecular genetics to taxonomists illustrates the complexity in the current and historical relationships between species as they evolved during glacial and interglacial periods. This section also provides information on mating strategies, case studies on interspecific interactions between brown bears and other carnivores, notes on adaptations influencing the distribution of Asian bears, and abundance estimates of American black bears in North America. These chapters are peripheral to the primary thrust of the book, but will be interesting for some readers.
The species accounts in Part II facilitate comparisons among the eight extant species of bears, including separate chapters for North American and Eurasian brown bears. Each account describes the taxonomy, physical, behavioural and habitat characteristics associated with each species. This section is an important resource, with current information on ecology, conservation status and management challenges.
Part III focuses on human–bear coexistence, one of the great management challenges facing the conservation community. Conflict between people and bears has occurred for thousands of years, and the authors examine traditional perceptions and options for resolving these conflicts. They also consider the broader context of such conflicts and present a unique approach to the way we think about the relationship between people and bears in light of the challenges encountered in resource-rich environments and developing countries. The last chapter (16) acknowledges the complexity of resolving human–bear conflicts and points out how the language used to describe these conflicts can affect conservation initiatives. The potential for human–bear conflicts to increase in frequency and geographical extent in the future makes Part III particularly pertinent.
Part IV examines the conservation challenges managers face in attempting to maintain bear populations threatened by habitat fragmentation, increased anthropogenic mortality, and loss of connectivity between subpopulations. In addition to these threats, this section illuminates techniques to improve our understanding of bear ecology and future prospects for bear populations in developed and developing countries.
Bears of the World is a comprehensive text that summarizes much of what is currently known about the ecology of bears and the challenges of their conservation. It is an important reference source for anyone wanting to know more about the life history of these incredible animals.
Open access
