Biodiversity in a Changing Climate - by Terry Louise Root & Kimberly R Hall & Mark P Herzog & Christine A Howell (Paperback)

About the Book

"Building upon the rapidly-growing body of literature documenting how natural systems are responding to, and are at risk from, human-induced climate change, this book provides case-study examples of how a diverse range of species and ecological systems in California are changing with the climate. These case studies originate from multiple ecological fields (genetics, population biology, habitat studies, community ecology, landscape ecology, paleobiology) and are framed by chapters describing approaches and tools for climate-adaptation planning, reviewing climate impacts and biological responses, and encouraging the use of historical data. This framing emphasizes the need for partnerships between researchers and resource managers in addressing climate-related challenges, and highlights how communication strengthens these partnerships with 'conversations' between chapter authors and managers. Such connections help move advances in science from research reports to 'on the ground' changes that help protect species, and support all life"--

Book Synopsis

One major consequence of climate change is abrupt, dramatic changes in regional biodiversity. Even if the most optimistic scenarios for mitigating climate change transpire, the fate of many wild species rests on the shoulders of people engaged in conservation planning, management, and policy. Providing managers with the latest and most useful climate change research is critical and requires challenging the conventional divide between scientists and managers.

Biodiversity in a Changing Climate promotes dialogue among scientists, decision makers, and managers who are grappling with climate-related threats to species and ecosystems in diverse forms. The book includes case studies and best practices used to address impacts related to climate change across a broad spectrum of species and habitats--from coastal krill and sea urchins to prairie grass and mountain bumblebees. Focused on California, the issues and strategies presented in this book will prove relevant to regions across the West, as well as other regions, and provide a framework for how scientists and managers in any region can bridge the communication divide to manage biodiversity in a rapidly changing world.

Biodiversity and a Changing Climate will prove an indispensable guide to students, scientists, and professionals engaged in conservation and resource management.

Review Quotes

"This is a well-edited book on the implications of climate change for management and conservation in California. Its value ranges beyond California in part because of the diversity of ecosystems is greater than in any other state, and because the generalities derived and questions raised are applicable beyond the third largest of the 50 states."-- "The Quarterly Review of Biology" (12/1/2016 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Terry L. Root is Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment, and Professor, by courtesy, in the Department of Biology at Stanford University.

Kimberly R. Hall is a Climate Change Ecologist with The Nature Conservancy and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Michigan State University.

Mark P. Herzog is Quantitative Ecologist and Wildlife Biologist at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center.

Christine A. Howell is the Regional Wildlife Ecologist for the Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service.