Provides concise definitions of terms related to the environment. Some black and white illustrations throughout; sidebars highlight key events, places, or terms of especial importance. Ten appendices are included, from information on international treaties to intensity scales for various types of natural disasters.

Consisting of 18 essays written by a panel of experts, this book covers a wide scope of information relating to conservation and biodiversity. Subjects such as the role of technology, concerns for animal welfare, and effects of infectious diseases are just a small sample of what is covered. Most entries contain figures and other illustrative charts; all are concluded with a reference list.

Concentrating on integrated conservation and development projects (ICDPs), this book begins with several chapters on the purposes and problems of this approach to conservation. Most of the following chapters describe the positive and negative aspects of ICDP use in a variety of different environments, from Yellowstone Park to Zambia. The final chapter focuses on how use of this method can be improved and utilized by future generations of conservationists. A list of references follows each chapter.

Unlike other books on the subject, the chapters in this work directly address the different ways that conserving natural areas benefit people and communities. Many real life examples and case studies from around the world are provided, and the readability makes this suitable for natural science students, researchers, and those interested for non-academic reasons. Plenty of black and white photographs and references throughout.