An Introduction to Conservation Biology, fourth edition, is the only textbook designed for both biology majors, and non-science majors, offering current perspectives on urgent topics such as sustainable development, global change, and species conservation, ensuring broad accessibility and relevance across disciplines.
The content is organized around key themes: the value of biological diversity, threats to biodiversity, conservation at the species and population levels, ecosystem protection and restoration, and sustainable development, providing a comprehensive framework for teaching core concepts. Each chapter features full-color illustrations and diverse examples from recent literature, bringing complex ideas to life and enhancing student engagement. Chapters begin with foundational conservation principles and conclude with summaries, annotated reading lists, and discussion questions, supporting structured learning and facilitating classroom discussion and independent study. The authors emphasize the active role of scientists, communities, organizations, and governments in protecting biodiversity while meeting human needs, encouraging students to view conservation as a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort.
The fourth edition includes over 100 new examples and 630 updated citations--ensuring students interact with the most current research and conservation practices. Interactive figure walkthroughs and full-color visuals throughout the text improve comprehension, supporting diverse learning styles and reinforcing key concepts. Oxford Insight courseware, available with this edition, includes active learning modules, self-assessments, author videos, chapter quizzes, and performance analytics, enhancing student engagement and giving instructors tools to monitor and improve learning outcomes.
Anna A. Sher is a Professor of Biology at the University of Denver, where she has taught conservation biology since 2003. She held a joint position as the Director of Research and Conservation at Denver Botanic Gardens from 2003-2010. Dr. Sher has published books and articles for academic, trade, and popular audiences on various topics within conservation biology, including restoration ecology, rare plant conservation, and climate change. She is one of the foremost experts on the ecology of invasive Tamarix trees and was the lead editor of the book Tamarix: A Case Study of Ecological Change in the American West (Oxford University Press, 2013). She is also first author of the textbook Ecology: Concepts and Applications, 9th Ed. (McGraw-Hill Education). Dr. Sher received her Ph.D. in Biology at the University of New Mexico in 1998 and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Davis and as a Fulbright Scholar in Israel. Dr. Sher also led scientific study-abroad programs in East Africa, and has been a visiting scholar at the University of Otago in New Zealand. She is an advocate for social justice and is currently leading a campus-wide coalition to support women and increase diversity in STEM academic professions. She and her wife and son live, work, and play in Denver, Colorado.
Eduardo González-Sargas is a Research Scientist at Colorado State University, where he studies riparian and riverine ecosystems, with a particular focus on invasive species management and restoration. He earned his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Alcalá (Spain) in 2010 and has held research positions across Europe and North America, including postdoctoral fellowships in France, Canada, and the United States. Trained as a community ecologist, his research spans topics in river ecology, wetland restoration, and the ecological impacts of environmental change. He has also contributed to discussions on the socioeconomic dimensions of conservation, including ecosystem service valuation and science-practice integration in invasive species management. Dr. González-Sargas's work is highly applied, aimed at informing conservation practices through adaptive management. Much of his recent research has centered on the ecological effects of biocontrol, active revegetation, and flooding in managing
Tamarix invasions in dryland rivers. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to previous editions of this textbook as a contractor. He joins as a coauthor for the first time in this 4th edition. Eduardo lives with his family in Littleton, Colorado, where he enjoys hiking and is an avid tennis player.
