| Wild Solutions: How Biodiversity Is Money in the Bank, Second Edition Contributor(s): Beattie, Andrew J. (Author), Ehrlich, Paul R. (Author), Turnbull, Christine (Illustrator) |
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ISBN: 0300105061 ISBN-13: 9780300105063 Publisher: Yale University Press OUR PRICE: $37.62 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: August 2004 Annotation: In this fascinating and abundantly illustrated book, two eminent ecologists explain how the millions of species living on Earth--some microscopic, some obscure, many threatened--not only help keep us alive but also hold possibilities for previously unimagined products, medicines, and even industries. In an Afterword written especially for this edition, the authors consider the impact of two revolutions now taking place: the increasing rate at which we are discovering new species because of new technology available to us and the accelerating rate at which we are losing biological diversity. Also reviewed and summarized are many "new" wild solutions, such as innovative approaches to the discovery of pharmaceuticals, the "lotus effect," the ever-growing importance of bacteria, molecular biomimetics, ecological restoration, and robotics. "An easy read, generating a momentum of energy and excitement about the potential of the natural world to solve many of the problems that face us."--E. J. Milner-Gulland, "Nature ""Must-reading for everyone."--Simon A. Levin, author of "Fragile Dominion: Complexity and the Commons ""An engaging book clearly intended to impress upon a lay audience the practical value of biological diversity. . . . An outstanding work."--"Ecology ""A most stimulating read for all those budding science students from secondary through graduate schools."--"Science Books & Films" |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Nature | Environmental Conservation & Protection - General - Nature | Ecology - Science | Life Sciences - Biological Diversity |
| Dewey: 333.951 |
| Physical Information: 0.76" H x 5.6" W x 8.24" (0.73 lbs) 276 pages |
| Themes: - Topical - Ecology |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: We live on an unexplored planet, ignorant of more than eighty percent of the species that share our world. In this fascinating and abundantly illustrated book, two eminent ecologists discuss the biological diversity of the Earth, showing how the natural systems that surround us play an essential role in protecting our basic life-support systems. Andrew Beattie and Paul Ehrlich tell us about the millions of species providing ecosystem services that maintain the quality of our air and water and the fertility of the soil, dispose of domestic, industrial, and agricultural waste, and protect crops from pests. The authors also describe how biological diversity opens the way for new medicines, pharmaceuticals, construction materials and designs, and manufactured goods. They point to innovative industries that harness species for the biological repair of damaged landscapes, biological mining, biological pest control, and biomonitoring of the environment. The organisms upon which these activities are founded--although often microscopic, obscure, or bizarre--provide natural capital that is worth infinitely more than anyone has previously guessed. The authors urge us to protect the biological wealth of our Earth and keep it from being destroyed by human activity. |