x
Preface
Our aim in this book is therefore to expand the scope
and agenda of conservation biogeography, to identify
critical gaps and weaknesses, and to provide an introduction to the toolbox of concepts and methods – and
thereby to produce a broad - based text for university
courses and programmes. To this end, we have tried to
provide a strong pedagogic structure, starting with the
values and imperatives underpinning conservation
that determine where and how biogeography can be
used. Subsequently we develop the key concepts and
frameworks before concluding with the application of
biogeography to real world conservation problems.
To ensure adequate coverage of all of the most
important areas of contemporary research and practice, we invited a number of colleagues, based at other
universities around the world, to join with us in developing the fi rst comprehensive textbook on conservation biogeography. Edited textbooks can often appear
bitty and may lack cohesion, but it has been our great
good fortune as editors that our colleagues in this
venture have accepted with good grace – and, indeed,
enthusiasm – our efforts to avoid such an outcome.
Working within a pre - set structure, the author teams
have developed, collaboratively, a text which we hope
you, the reader, will fi nd to be readable, coherent,
insightful and comprehensive.
Biogeography is entering a period of innovation,
growth and expansion, and it has been reinvigorated
by its fusion with the younger, crisis - driven agenda of
conservation science. We hope this book will contribute in a small way to attracting more students and
established scientists to work in this newly emerging
fi eld, and we look forward with great interest and
expectation to tracking the practical and conceptual
development of the discipline in the coming years.
Finally, in furtherance of this goal, and together with
our fellow contributing authors, we have pledged to
donate the royalties from the present work to the
International Biogeography Society , which was founded
as a non - profi t organization in 2000 with the following
mission:
• Foster communication and collaboration between
biogeographers in disparate academic fi elds – scientists
who would otherwise have little opportunity for substantive interaction and collaboration.
• Increase both the awareness and interests of the scientifi c community and the lay public in the contributions of biogeographers.
• Promote the training and education of biogeographers so that they may develop sound strategies for
studying and conserving the world ’ s biota.
For further information on the IBS visit http://www.
biogeography.org .
Richard Ladle was the founding course director of the
MSc Biodiversity Conservation and Management , School
of Geography and the Environment, University of
Oxford. He is currently a Senior Research Associate of
the School and a Visiting Professor in the Department
of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of
Vi ç osa, Brazil.
Robert Whittaker is the current Academic Director
of the MSc Biodiversity Conservation and Management,
and holds the title of Professor of Biogeography in
the School of Geography and the Environment,
University of Oxford. He was a founding member of the
International Biogeography Society and is currently
editor-in-chief of the Journal of Biogeography .
Richard J. Ladle
Vi ç osa, Brazil
Robert J. Whittaker
Oxford, UK
July 2010
Preface
Our aim in this book is therefore to expand the scope
and agenda of conservation biogeography, to identify
critical gaps and weaknesses, and to provide an introduction to the toolbox of concepts and methods – and
thereby to produce a broad - based text for university
courses and programmes. To this end, we have tried to
provide a strong pedagogic structure, starting with the
values and imperatives underpinning conservation
that determine where and how biogeography can be
used. Subsequently we develop the key concepts and
frameworks before concluding with the application of
biogeography to real world conservation problems.
To ensure adequate coverage of all of the most
important areas of contemporary research and practice, we invited a number of colleagues, based at other
universities around the world, to join with us in developing the fi rst comprehensive textbook on conservation biogeography. Edited textbooks can often appear
bitty and may lack cohesion, but it has been our great
good fortune as editors that our colleagues in this
venture have accepted with good grace – and, indeed,
enthusiasm – our efforts to avoid such an outcome.
Working within a pre - set structure, the author teams
have developed, collaboratively, a text which we hope
you, the reader, will fi nd to be readable, coherent,
insightful and comprehensive.
Biogeography is entering a period of innovation,
growth and expansion, and it has been reinvigorated
by its fusion with the younger, crisis - driven agenda of
conservation science. We hope this book will contribute in a small way to attracting more students and
established scientists to work in this newly emerging
fi eld, and we look forward with great interest and
expectation to tracking the practical and conceptual
development of the discipline in the coming years.
Finally, in furtherance of this goal, and together with
our fellow contributing authors, we have pledged to
donate the royalties from the present work to the
International Biogeography Society , which was founded
as a non - profi t organization in 2000 with the following
mission:
• Foster communication and collaboration between
biogeographers in disparate academic fi elds – scientists
who would otherwise have little opportunity for substantive interaction and collaboration.
• Increase both the awareness and interests of the scientifi c community and the lay public in the contributions of biogeographers.
• Promote the training and education of biogeographers so that they may develop sound strategies for
studying and conserving the world ’ s biota.
For further information on the IBS visit http://www.
biogeography.org .
Richard Ladle was the founding course director of the
MSc Biodiversity Conservation and Management , School
of Geography and the Environment, University of
Oxford. He is currently a Senior Research Associate of
the School and a Visiting Professor in the Department
of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of
Vi ç osa, Brazil.
Robert Whittaker is the current Academic Director
of the MSc Biodiversity Conservation and Management,
and holds the title of Professor of Biogeography in
the School of Geography and the Environment,
University of Oxford. He was a founding member of the
International Biogeography Society and is currently
editor-in-chief of the Journal of Biogeography .
Richard J. Ladle
Vi ç osa, Brazil
Robert J. Whittaker
Oxford, UK
July 2010