When diversity is being broadly considered, the significant differences within and between divergent categories must be acknowledged and taken into account. Wilson identifies the crisis of the decling biodiversity and sites many reasons for it. Buy the diversity of life penguin press science rev ed by wilson, edward o. If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. The diversity of life questions of science by wilson. First edition of this work by the pulitzer prizewinning scientist. The book documents the human impact on other life forms, which he calls the sixth great extinction, and lays out an ambitious plan to study, catalogue and preserve every species on earth. Steve talks with pulitzer prizewinning biologist edward o. Wilson eloquently describes how the species of the world became diverse, and why the threat to this diversity today is beyond the scope of. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Wilson, american biologist recognized as the worlds leading authority on ants.
The diversity of life questions of science by edward o. This includes all the different plants, animals, and microorganisms. The diversity of life is a deft and thoroughly successful mixture of information and prophecy. Wilson biodiversity foundation the diversity of life. The diversity of life questions of science by wilson, edward o. To ask other readers questions about the diversity of life, please sign up. Rosen in 1985 while planning the national forum on biological. A challenge to science, issues in science and technology fall 1985, 2, no. Recognizing, embracing and valuing inclusion and diversity is a pathway to greater strength. Biodiversity is a neologism and a portmanteau word, from bio and diversity. While wilson doesnt oversimplify the science, his book should be accessible to most people and it is well illustrated with drawings, maps, color plates, and graphs. Wilson 1992 presents a thrilling account of the evolution of diverse species and how humans are destroying that diversity. Accessories such as cd, codes, toys, may not be included.
Belknap press of harvard university press, 1992, 424 pp. With a new preface questions of science 9780674058170. The diversity of life is a 1992 book on the future of biodiversity by entomologist edward o. How does it relate to the general field of ecology. Wilson articulates in his book the diversity of life wilson, 1992, diversity is the foundation of the survival and evolution of our species. Chapter 14 diversity of life in the coastal bays diversity of life the coastal bays are a permanent or. His biological specialty is myrmecology, the study of ants, on which he has been called the worlds leading expert wilson has been called the father of sociobiology and the father of biodiversity for his environmental advocacy, and his secularhumanist and deist. Wilson, internationally regarded as the dean of biodiversity studies, conducts us on a tour through time, traces the processes that create new species in bursts of adaptive radiation, and points out the cataclysmic events that have disrupted evolution and diminished. View a collection of videos on professor wilson entitled on the relation of science and the humanities in the amazon basin the greatest violence sometimes begins as a flicker of light beyond the horizon. Wilson articulates in his book the diversity of life wilson, 1992, diversity is fundamental to and the foundation of the survival and evolution of our species. Much of the book explores the differing patterns of evolution. Wilson 1992, hardcover at the best online prices at. Wilson, the dean of biodiversity studies, gives us a beautifully written, encyclopedic survey of the development of life forms and their diversity on our planet and sounds a clear warning that human population growth and resource exploitation now seriously threaten not only a large percentage of living plant and animal species but also the. Wilson, an eminent harvard entomologist, details the rise of biodiversity on earth and the human threats to it.
Edward o wilson in the amazon basin the greatest violence sometimes begins as a flicker of light beyond the. Wilson eloquently describes how the species of the world became diverse and why that diversity is threatened today as never before. Diversity abounds in the living world, and in the diversity of life, edward 0. The diversity of life is more or less the short history of time of evolutionary ecology and biological diversity but with a disturbing twist. Wilson, internationally regarded as the dean of biodiversity studies. Chapter 14 diversity of life in the coastal bays diversity of life and managed as wildlife, while the. Wilson, is an american biologist, naturalist, and writer. Not since darwin has an author so lifted the science of ecology with insight and delightful imagery richard dawkins in this book a master.
Wilson signed the diversity of life first edition e. Biological diversity is the variety of life on earth. The belknap press of harvard university press, 1992. Belknap press of harvard university press, 79 garden st. Wilson, internationally regarded as the dean of biodiversity studies, conducts us on a tour through. Spine creases, wear to binding and pages from reading.
Widely regarded as the founder of the field of sociobiology, wilson deftly combines data and rigorous scientific methods with different narratives about how biological life has evolved over time to argue that earth is hurtling towards the sixth. Belknap pressharvard university press, cambridge, mass. In this 1992 work, wilson reflects on the evolution of life and mans destruction of the natural world. Wilson eloquently describes how the species of the world became diverse, and. Finalist, 1992 national book critics circle award for general nonfiction. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Possible ex library copy, will have the markings and stickers associated from the library. May contain limited notes, underlining or highlighting that does affect the text. The sixth great extinction spasm of geological time is upon.
The sixth great extinction spasm of geological time is upon us, grace of mankind. Diversity of life also called biological diversity or biodiversity is the variety of living systems. Edward o wilson in the amazon basin the greatest violence sometimes begins as a flicker of light beyond the horizon. The folio edition of the diversity of life features wonderful colour wildlife images and a foreword by bill mckibben.
Wilson, internationally regarded as the dean of biodiversity studies, conducts us on a tour through time, traces the processes that create new species in bursts of adaptive radiation, and points out the cataclysmic events that have disrupted evolution and diminished global diversity over the past 600 million years. Joel achenbach is a reporter for the style section of the washington post. The pulitzerprize winning author discusses the evolution of life on our planet, the great extinctions, biodiversity and the threats to diversity of species. Earth has at last acquired a force that can break the crucible of biodiversity. The diversity of life in the amazon basin the greatest violence sometimes begins as a flicker of light beyond the horizon. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Wilsons classic account of evolution and biodiversity remains as relevant as when first published in 1992.
Edward osborne wilson born june 10, 1929, usually cited as e. It is increased by new genetic variation and reduced by extinction and habitat degradation. It is a failing of our species that we ignore and even despise the creatures whose lives sustain our own. In this book a master scientist tells the story of how life on earth evolved. Wilson eloquently depicts rainforest diversity using the example of the number of ants in a bush. It may refer to extant organisms, but also to their diversity in the past. In the diversity of life 1992, wilson sought to explain how the worlds living species became diverse and examined the massive species extinctions caused by human activities in the 20th century. The term biological diversity was coined by thomas lovejoy in 1980, while the word biodiversity itself was coined by w. Biodiversity or biological diversity is the diversity of life. Wilson outlines his many studies and theories on the current biological diversity of the world. There in the perfect bowl of the night sky, untouched by light from any human source, a thunderstorm sends its premonitory signal and begins a slow journey to the observer, who thinks. There in the perfect bowl of the night sky, untouched by light from any human source, a. Wilson s classic account of evolution and biodiversity remains as relevant as when first published in 1992.
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