Preface
Most scientists would agree that life on Earth is currently experiencing a rapid and dramatic transformation and re - sorting, reminiscent of some of the most
dramatic events in the planet ’ s history, such as the
switches in and out of ice ages, biotic interchanges
driven by the collision of continents, or the handful
of massive and geologically abrupt past biodiversity
collapses termed mass extinctions. All over the globe
natural habitats are being transformed to suit the
needs of the local human population or those of distant
markets. Sometimes these changes are dramatic, such
as the clearing of lowland rain forest to make way for
pasture or crops. Other changes are more subtle but
nonetheless have severe ramifi cations for the native
ecology, such as the introduction of non - native species
from widely distant land masses or water bodies.
Moreover, these changes are taking place against a
backdrop of global climate change, which has the
potential to re - draw the geographic boundaries of
many ecosystems.
The full consequences of the contemporary human -
induced revolution in the Earth ’ s biota remain to be
seen, although many aspects of anthropogenic impacts
are already on record and many further responses to
these drivers seem inevitable. Numerous species have
already become extinct and, in the absence of concerted efforts to prevent this, many more seem destined
to follow them into oblivion.
Another seemingly inexorable process is the convergence of communities (especially where habitats have
been disturbed) caused by the assisted transport of
generalist species. Known as ‘ biotic homogenization ’ ,
this process overwrites the local and particular species
with, very often, the same sets of successful commensal species, many of which present very signifi cant
negative impacts on ecosystems and economies. Other
consequences are harder to predict, such as the impact
of climate change on the make - up of communities, or
even its infl uence on the geographic distribution of a
particular species.
Ultimately, the degree to which human transformation of landscapes and ecosystems impacts on the
diversity and distribution of life on Earth will be determined by the response of societies, organizations and
individuals. However, to make rational informed decisions about where to invest conservation ’ s limited
resources (both taxonomically and geographically)
requires an understanding of the principles, concepts
and techniques of biogeography. Although the application of biogeographical theory to conservation problems has a long history, most notably in the design of
island nature reserves, we have for some time felt that
there was insuffi cient attention being paid to exploiting
biogeographical information and knowledge in the
practice of conservation and in the education and
training of those intent on contributing to conservation policy and practice. The goal to develop teaching
material with this focus was, therefore, an integral part
of our plans for a new Master ’ s programme in
Biodiversity, Conservation and Management, taught in
the University of Oxford, and in which several of our
colleagues – contributing authors to this book – have
also been involved over the last six years or so.
Encouraged by the interest in conservation biogeography evident within the mission statement (below)
and membership of the recently formed International
Biogeography Society, we set out to outline the aspirations, applications and limitations of the fi eld in a prospective review paper published in 2005 in the journal
Diversity and Distributions – A Journal of Conservation
Biogeography. This paper, however, only gave the bare
bones of a cohesive set of concepts and criticisms
that defi ne an important new perspective on global
conservation.
Most scientists would agree that life on Earth is currently experiencing a rapid and dramatic transformation and re - sorting, reminiscent of some of the most
dramatic events in the planet ’ s history, such as the
switches in and out of ice ages, biotic interchanges
driven by the collision of continents, or the handful
of massive and geologically abrupt past biodiversity
collapses termed mass extinctions. All over the globe
natural habitats are being transformed to suit the
needs of the local human population or those of distant
markets. Sometimes these changes are dramatic, such
as the clearing of lowland rain forest to make way for
pasture or crops. Other changes are more subtle but
nonetheless have severe ramifi cations for the native
ecology, such as the introduction of non - native species
from widely distant land masses or water bodies.
Moreover, these changes are taking place against a
backdrop of global climate change, which has the
potential to re - draw the geographic boundaries of
many ecosystems.
The full consequences of the contemporary human -
induced revolution in the Earth ’ s biota remain to be
seen, although many aspects of anthropogenic impacts
are already on record and many further responses to
these drivers seem inevitable. Numerous species have
already become extinct and, in the absence of concerted efforts to prevent this, many more seem destined
to follow them into oblivion.
Another seemingly inexorable process is the convergence of communities (especially where habitats have
been disturbed) caused by the assisted transport of
generalist species. Known as ‘ biotic homogenization ’ ,
this process overwrites the local and particular species
with, very often, the same sets of successful commensal species, many of which present very signifi cant
negative impacts on ecosystems and economies. Other
consequences are harder to predict, such as the impact
of climate change on the make - up of communities, or
even its infl uence on the geographic distribution of a
particular species.
Ultimately, the degree to which human transformation of landscapes and ecosystems impacts on the
diversity and distribution of life on Earth will be determined by the response of societies, organizations and
individuals. However, to make rational informed decisions about where to invest conservation ’ s limited
resources (both taxonomically and geographically)
requires an understanding of the principles, concepts
and techniques of biogeography. Although the application of biogeographical theory to conservation problems has a long history, most notably in the design of
island nature reserves, we have for some time felt that
there was insuffi cient attention being paid to exploiting
biogeographical information and knowledge in the
practice of conservation and in the education and
training of those intent on contributing to conservation policy and practice. The goal to develop teaching
material with this focus was, therefore, an integral part
of our plans for a new Master ’ s programme in
Biodiversity, Conservation and Management, taught in
the University of Oxford, and in which several of our
colleagues – contributing authors to this book – have
also been involved over the last six years or so.
Encouraged by the interest in conservation biogeography evident within the mission statement (below)
and membership of the recently formed International
Biogeography Society, we set out to outline the aspirations, applications and limitations of the fi eld in a prospective review paper published in 2005 in the journal
Diversity and Distributions – A Journal of Conservation
Biogeography. This paper, however, only gave the bare
bones of a cohesive set of concepts and criticisms
that defi ne an important new perspective on global
conservation.