An outstanding reference source to the key topics and debates in this exciting subject. Essential reading for students and researchers in philosophy, environmental science and environmental studies, and conservation management.

Introduction Justin Garson, Anya Plutynski, and Sahotra SarkarPart 1: Historical and Sociological Contexts1. A Confluence of Values: Historical Roots of Concern for Biological Diversity Timothy Farnham2. Extinction and Biodiversity: A Historical Perspective David SepkoskiPart 2: What is Biodiversity?3. Approaches to Biodiversity Sahotra Sarkar 4. Is Biodiversity a Natural Quality? James Maclaurin5. A General Model for Biodiversity and its Value Daniel P. Faith6. Biodiversity Eliminativism Carlos Santana7. ‘Biodiversity’ and Biological Diversities: Consequences of Pluralism between Biology and Policy David M. Frank8. Ecological Hierarchy and Biodiversity Christopher Lean and Kim Sterelny9. Unnatural Kinds: Biodiversity and Human Modified Entities Helena Siipi10. Going Small: The Challenges of Microbial Biodiversity Christophe MalaterrePart 3: Why Protect Biodiversity?11. Is Biodiversity Intrinsically Valuable? (And What Might That Mean?) Katie McShane12. What Good is it, Anyway? J. Baird Callicott13. Economizing on Nature’s Bounty Lisa Heinzerling14. Protecting Biodiversity and Moral Psychology; or Why Philosophers Are Asking the Wrong Questions Jay Odenbaugh15. What Would Leopold Do?: Considering Assisted Colonization as a Conservation Strategy Ben A. MinteerPart 4: Measurement and Methodology16. Biodiversity Indicators Need to be Fit for Purpose Kerrie Wilson, Jacqueline England, and Shaun Cunningham17. Using Concepts of Biodiversity Value in Structured Decision Making Lynn A. Maguire18. Measuring Biodiversity and Monitoring Ecological and Evolutionary Processes with Genetic and Genomic Tools Alan R. Templeton19. Estimating Biodiversity Loss Yrjö HailaPart 5: Social Contexts and Global Justice20. Putting Biodiversity Conservation into Practice: the Importance of Local Culture, Economy, Governance and Community Values Anya Plutynski and Yayoi Fujita-Lagerqvist21. Synergies and Tradeoffs: Recognizing the Many Possible Outcomes of Community-based Conservation Jeremy BrooksPart 6: Biodiversity and Other Environmental Values22. Ecological Sustainability J. Baird Callicott23. Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Justin Garson.Index

'The authors in this excellent Handbook step back to question what we mean when we discuss the perils to "biodiversity", and to consider the myriad ways that our values intermingle with both the term and the biological world it represents. By examining the interactions between biodiversity’s epistemology, ontology, and biology, they help us understand how and why we might steward the nonhuman world around us.' - David Takacs, University of California Hastings, USA