Insect Conservation: A Global Synthesis is a landmark, field-defining work written by Professor Michael Samways, one of the founding fathers of this burgeoning discipline of conservation science. It presents a state-of-the-art, comprehensive review of the entire field of insect conservation, from single-species conservation to whole-ecosystem approaches, and from natural ecosystems to the urban landscape.
The variety and number of insects are truly vast. They are the most speciose group of organisms on Earth, with the majority barely known to science or still not described at all. They are a vital component in all terrestrial ecosystems, which would fail to function normally without them.
Insect populations worldwide are under threat. Human-mediated degradation of natural habitats, pollution, over-use of pesticides, and the spread of urbanization has led to the collapse of insect populations in many areas of the world. A growing recognition of the importance of insects in natural and agricultural systems has stimulated the development of an entire discipline dedicated to their conservation.
Insect Conservation: A Global Synthesis is designed to be used by students of conservation biology and ecology, but also serves as an essential overview for professional entomologists with an interest in conservation, and for conservationists interested in insects. The book communicates on three levels: (i) through the text, with extensive references providing a gateway to the ever-increasing primary literature; (ii) through the extensive use of carefully constructed illustrations, with detailed captions which act to summarize the text and are complete in their own right; and (iii) through focused key points at the end of every chapter, which summarize the main learning points for students.
Michael Samways is Professor and Chair of the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University. He has published widely in the field of insect conservation, and in recent years has been recipient of the Stellenbosch University Award for Research Excellence, the Senior Captain Scott Medal of the South African Academy of Sciences and Arts, the John Herschel Medal of the Royal Society of South Africa, and the Gold Medal of the Academy of Science of South Africa for this work. He continues to work with his team of dedicated research students and several international bodies towards putting insect conservation into practice both locally and globally.
Melodie A. McGeoch trained as an entomologist and received her PhD in insect community ecology and the use of insects as bioindicators. She has published across the fields of insect conservation, spatial ecology, biodiversity monitoring and assessment, and the impacts of biological invasion and climate change on biodiversity. After 12 years in an academic environment (at the Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch, South Africa), she recently joined South African National Parks to establish and head the Cape Research Node, responsible for providing science support and research direction to Fynbos, Succulent Karoo and Marine Protected Areas under the Node.
Tim New is an entomologist with wide interests in insect conservation, systematics and ecology and has published more than 400 reviewed papers/book chapters, and about 30 books. He is Professor of Zoology at La Trobe University, Melbourne. He serves/has served on a number of conservation advisory committees and editorial boards, and his work on insect conservation has been recognised by the Marsh Christian Trust Award for insect conservation (Royal Entomological Society) and the Henry Aates Award (Association for Tropical Lepidoptera) amongst others.
