Biodiversity, Sustainability and Human Communities : Protecting beyond the Protected

Biodiversity loss and possible remedies are subject to much debate. Biodiversity, Sustainability and Human Communities advocates preservation through a mix of strict protection, inclusive involvement of people, and the combination of livelihoods and social well-being in biodiversity management. Case studies are examined with insights from political scientists, economists and ecologists.

Biodiversity is the key indicator of a healthy planet and healthy society. Losses of biodiversity have now become widespread and current rates are potentially catastrophic for species and habitat integrity. Biodiversity, Sustainability and Human Communities advocates both the preservation of the best remaining habitats and the enhancement of new biodiverse habitats to ensure that they cope with human impact, climate change and alien species invasion. The authors argue that these aims can be achieved by a mix of strict protection, inclusive involvement of people inside and adjacent to reserves, and by combining livelihoods and social well-being in all future biodiversity management. Case studies from regions around the world, including Europe, the United States, Latin America and Africa are examined and discussed, and the contributors include political scientists, economists and ecologists.