Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I. Why conservation is needed -- 1. Humans are the dominant ecological force -- 2. Biodiversity and extinction -- 3. Ecosystem services: how nature pays for itself -- Part II. Policy, protected areas, and planning -- 4. Policy responses to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation -- 5. Conservation in protected areas and on private land -- 6. Conservation planning and priorities Part III. How science informs conservation strategies -- 7. The perils of small populations -- 8. Population size, trend, and viability -- 9. Assessing threats and choosing conservation actions -- 10. Islands of nature and the role of dispersal -- 11. Restoration and reintroduction: fixing problems after the fact -- 12. Adaptive management and evidence-based conservation -- Part IV. Conservation challenges in a world shaped by humans -- 13. Reversing global deforestation and forest degradation -- 14. Balancing agriculture and conservation -- 15. Building sustainable marine fisheries -- 16. Managing fresh water for people and nature -- 17. Getting practical about introduced species -- 18. Climate change on a global scale -- 19. Making conservation a success story. "Conservation Science was primarily written for undergraduates and beginning graduate students who are interested either in academic careers or in doing science-based conservation at government agencies, non-governmental organizations, or international institutions. It will also be of interest to those already involved in conservation who want to bolster their understanding of the field. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the science that drives conservation policy and action."--Publisher's description.