Insect Conservation: A Global Synthesis is a landmark, field-defining
work written by Professor Michael Samways, one of the founding fathers
of this burgeoning discipline of conservation science. It presents a
state-of-the-art, comprehensive review of the entire field of insect
conservation, from single-species conservation to whole-ecosystem
approaches, and from natural ecosystems to the urban landscape.
The variety and number of insects are truly vast. They are the most
speciose group of organisms on Earth, with the majority barely known to
science or still not described at all. They are a vital component in all
terrestrial ecosystems, which would fail to function normally without
them.
Insect populations worldwide are under threat. Human-mediated
degradation of natural habitats, pollution, over-use of pesticides, and
the spread of urbanization has led to the collapse of insect populations
in many areas of the world. A growing recognition of the importance of
insects in natural and agricultural systems has stimulated the
development of an entire discipline dedicated to their conservation.
Insect Conservation: A Global Synthesis is designed to be used by
students of conservation biology and ecology, but also serves as an
essential overview for professional entomologists with an interest in
conservation, and for conservationists interested in insects. The book
communicates on three levels: (i) through the text, with extensive
references providing a gateway to the ever-increasing primary
literature; (ii) through the extensive use of carefully constructed
illustrations, with detailed captions which act to summarize the text
and are complete in their own right; and (iii) through focused key
points at the end of every chapter, which summarize the main learning
points for students.
