The conservation of biological diversity (biodiversity) can focus on different levels of organization—from the biosphere and major biomes like the tropical rainforest through individual ecosystems down to populations and genes—but the level that is most tractable and understandable to the lay person is the species. Here, specific examples illustrate overexploitation, habitat destruction, and introduction of invasive species, the three major causes of species extinction.

Full introduction to the chapter Go

Selections in this chapter:

Readings for IVORY AND ELEPHANTS:

• Mafaniso Hara, from International Trade in Ivory from the African Elephant: Issues Surrounding the CITES Ban (1997), [53] Go
• Philip Muruthi, Mark Stanley Price, Pritpal Soorae, Cynthia Moss, and Annette Lanjouw, from “Conservation of Large Mammals in Africa: What Lessons and Challenges for the Future?” (2000), [60] Go

• David Wagoner, “The Author of American Ornithology Sketches a Bird, Now Extinct” (1979), [63] Go
• Jonathan Rosen, from “The Ghost Bird” (2001), [65] Go
• United States Fish and Wildlife Service, “Recovery Outline for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker” (2005), [68] Go

 Readings for THE BROWN TREE SNAKE AND THE AVIAN FAUNA OF GUAM:

• Alan Burdick, from “It’s Not the Only Alien Invader” (1994), [70] Go
• Julie Savidge, from “Extinction of an Island Forest Avifauna by an Introduced Snake” (1987), [76] Go

INTERCONNECTIONS--supplementary readings from other chapters of the anthology  

• All selections in Chapter 11, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, [362] Go
  
• Rachel Carson, from “And No Birds Sing” in Silent Spring (1962) (15), [541] Go
  
• Sharon Guynup, “Arctic Life Threatened by Toxic Chemicals, Groups Say” (2002) (15), [551] Go
• Francis of Assisi, “The Canticle of Brother Sun” (twelfth-thirteenth century C.E.) (16), [569] Go
  
• Phyllis Windle, from “The Ecology of Grief” (1995) (16), [589] Go
  
• Aldo Leopold, from “The Land Ethic” in A Sand County Almanac (1949) (17), [608] Go
  
• Mary Oliver, “The Kingfisher” (1990) (18), [696] Go
  
• Warren Burger, TVA v. Hill, U.S. Supreme Court (1978) (22), [759] Go
  
• Garrett Hardin, from “The Tragedy of the Commons” (1968) (23), [805] Go
  
• Archie Carr, “A Dubious Future” (1963) in A Naturalist in Florida: A Celebration of Eden (1994) (26), [867] Go
  
• David S. Wilcove and Thomas Eisner, “The Impending Extinction of Natural History” (2000) (26), [872] Go

Web Connections Go

Recommended further reading Go