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"If we see the
world as a superorganism of which we are a part - not the
owner, nor the tenant, not even a passenger - we could have
a long time ahead of us and our species might survive for
its "allotted span". It all depends on you and me."
James Lovelock, Ph.D., scientist, environmentalist,
author and researcher
Biodiversity is an abbreviation
of the term biological diversity. It encompasses the variety
of organisms on Earth and the interrelations of genes, species
and ecosystems.
Life on earth is part of a great and interdependent system.
All living things (organic species) interact with and depend
on the non-living (inorganic) components of the planet (the
oceans, freshwater, the atmosphere, the rocks and the soil).
Humanity depends totally on this community of life, but humanity's
impact on the planet increasingly threatens the interdependent
system that allows life.
All living organisms need food (energy), room (habitat) and
stability, but all of these things are decreasing; as a result,
some populations are endangered. If the rate of extinction
continues, in one human lifetime, half the world's species
will disappear.
So serious is human impact on the planet that world governments
have ratified a global agreement on the conservation and sustainable
use of biological diversity. To learn about the Convention
On Biological Diversity, click here http://www.biodiv.org/
Biological diversity becomes a real consideration for the
wildlife rehabilitator when it relates to the release of rehabilitated
animals. By advertently or inadvertently releasing an animal
into a habitat that cannot support it or where it is not native,
we may be affecting not only the animal's chances of survival,
but also the survival of other species in that habitat. Every
rehabilitator has the responsibility to determine, when considering
release, whether he or she is introducing a species into an
area where it will do harm or come to harm. When in doubt,
contact your local government agency first. Research before
you release. Preserve biodiversity.
There are many good information sources on the subject of
biodiversity. Choose one of the following selections to learn
more:
Actionbioscience.org is a non-commercial, educational web
site created and managed by BioScience Productions, Inc. to
promote bioscience literacy by examining issues that will:
motivate the public to play an active role in bioscience education,
show how developments in bioscience research can affect everyone,
promote an understanding of biogeography and the biodiversity
of life, engage the public to reflect on the relationship
between human activity and the natural course of evolution,
foster a global community attitude of ecoliving and ecoculture
and encourage students to pursue studies in the biosciences
To meet these goals, the web site provides articles by scientists,
science educators, and science students on issues related
to seven bioscience challenges: environment, biodiversity,
human genome, biotechnology, evolution, new frontiers, and
bioscience education. In addition, the web site provides educators
with resources to enhance bioscience teaching.
This WWW server is devoted to information of interest to systematists
and other biologists of the organismic kind. Within these
pages you will find information about specimens in biological
collections, taxonomic authority files, directories of biologists,
reports by various standards bodies (IOPI, ASC, SA2000, etc),
an archive of the Taxacom, MUSE-L and CICHLID-L listservs),
access to on-line journals (including Flora On-line) and information
about MUSE and Delta.
The BBCCWS server is an incredible resource. The biodiversity
section includes many links to other sites that are, in themselves,
excellent.
The Green Lane Server is Environment Canada's Internet resource
for weather and environmental information. Topics include
Clean Air, Clean Water, Climate Change, Fresh Water, National
Pollutant Release Inventory, Nature, Species At Risk (Endangered
Species),
Weather and Environmental Predictions and What You Can Do
(Down to Earth Choices for Sustainable Living).
Since 1984, WRI has focused extensively on issues supporting
the conservation, sustainable use, and equitable distribution
of benefits of biodiversity throughout the world. The site
offers information on biodiversity and protected areas, people
and projects, key issues and case studies, as well as links
to related sites.
Biodiversity Journal of Life on Earth
Published Quarterly by Tropical Conservancy
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada ISSN 1488-8386
Scope: To published articles on current research in
biodiversity; to deliver information on
all life forms and their roles in the life-sustaining systems
on Earth; to bring awareness, understanding and appreciation
of all life form and their roles in the life-sustaining systems
on Earth; to provide an international forum on matters concerning
the integrity and wellness of ecosystems and the environment.
By Subscription. Online back orders: Volume 1, Issues 1-4,
2000, Volume 2, Issues 1-2, 2001 table of contents only
Biodiversity and Conservation
Kluwer Academic Publishers
Scope: Biodiversity and Conservation is an international
journal devoted to the publication of articles on all aspects
of biological diversity, its description, analysis and conservation,
and its controlled rational use by humankind. The scope of
Biodiversity and Conservation is wide and multidisciplinary,
and embraces all life-forms. Research papers, as well as Editorials,
Comments and Research Notes, on biodiversity and conservation,
and contributions which deal with the practicalities of conservation
management, economic, social and political issues and with
case studies are welcome. The journal provides a forum for
examining the conflict between sustainable development and
human dependence on biodiversity, in such fields as agriculture,
environmental management and biotechnology. The Editors encourage
contributors from developing countries in order to realize
proper global perspectives on matters of biodiversity and
conservation.
Published bi-monthly; contents for issues from Issue 1, 1997
to the present with complete abstracts. Articles can be downloaded
(PDF file) with subscription or on pay-by-article basis.
The California Biodiversity News
The purpose of the California Biodiversity News is to provide
news and information about the biological diversity of California,
programs and policies affecting our natural resources, and
business and activities of the Biodiversity Council. It is
published semi-annually, in March and September, and is available
in both printed and online editions.
For a free subscription to the print edition of the California
Biodiversity News, send an e-mail that includes your name,
title, organization, and postal mailing address.
EnviroZine
Environment Canada's monthly online newsletter topics include
biodiversity, climate change, wildlife and general environment
Issue 1, December 18, 2000 to present.
Precious Heritage:The Status of Biodiversity in the United States
by Bruce A. Stein (Editor), Lynn S. Kutner (Editor), Jonathan S. Adams (Editor)
Hardcover: 416 pages
Oxford University Press
ISBN:0195125193
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Conserving Earth's Biodiversity:
by Dan L. Perlman, Edward Osborne Wilson
Software: Cd-Rom edition (February 2000). In-Print Editions: Paperback (Cdr&manual)
Cd-Rom edition (February 2000)
Island Press
ISBN:1559637730
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Species - The units of biodiversity:
by Michael F. Claridge (Editor), H. A. Dawah (Editor), M. R. Wilson (Editor)
Hardcover: 448 pages
Chapman & Hall
ISBN:0412631202
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Maintaining Biodiversity in Forest Ecosystems:
by Malcolm L. Hunter (Editor)
Paperback: 550 pages
Cambridge Univ Pr (Pap Txt)
ISBN:0521637686
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