Fundamentals of Conservation Biology

Gibbs and Hunter have produced a fine text to serve as an introduction to conservation biology. The text is full of examples, case studies, and pictures. However, the pages are full of text, and in 500 pages, the reader can learn a tremendous amount about the field.

Malcom Hunter provides a wonderful resource for students. He brings years of experience in the academic world to create a useful and enjoyable text. His book provides broad coverage of the major topics of applied conservation including chapters on diversity, threats to biodiversity, the maintenance of biodiversity, and the human factors of conservation work. Throughout the text Dr. Hunter provides insightful illustrations and examples carefully spanning taxonomic lines and global location including several in depth case studies. This text accurately depicts the various complications and perspectives in this increasingly broad and necessary field. From the introduction through the last chapter Hunter keeps the text accessible only rarely becoming arduous to the reader's patience. Hunter leaves out the over glorified (and extremely costly) full glossy pictures that have become commonplace in modern texts making this a great buy for students. The discussion questions provided at the end of each chapter are great and his suggestions for other readings provide excellent options for students seeking to go even further into topics of interest.