Includes bibliographical references (p. 515-547) and index.

What is conservation biology? -- What is biological diversity? -- Where is biological diversity found? -- Loss of biological diversity -- Vulnerability to extinction -- Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation -- Exotic species introductions, disease, and overexploitation -- Direct economic values of diversity -- Indirect economic values -- The ethical value of biological diversity -- The problems of small populations -- Population biology of endangered species -- Establishing protected areas -- Designing protected areas -- Managing protected areas -- Outside protected areas : working with people and restoring the environment -- Ex situ conservation strategies -- Establishing new populations -- How are species and habitats legally protected? -- International agreements -- International funding -- An agenda for the future.