Summary
Earth’s astonishing diversity of life—in coral reefs, Arctic tundra, tropical rainforests, deep-sea hot springs, and many others—is amazing for its beauty and for the ecosystem services it provides. People, however, exploit organisms and ecosystems for food, clothing, shelter, medicines, and fuel, damaging or destroying many ecosystems. As a result of human activities, species' extinctions are occurring at a rate 10 to 100 times faster than in the planet’s recent history. Biosphere candidly explores these pressing issues in a clear, accessible format. The information covered in this eye-opening new book discusses how ecosystems must be set aside, habitats restored, and global warming thwarted. Readers will learn how organisms can be saved in their native habitats or in zoos, or their genes can be preserved in freezers.
Specifications
Full-color photographs and illustrations. Sidebars. Glossary. Further reading. Web sites. Index.
About the Author(s)
Dana Desonie, Ph.D., has written about the earth, ocean, space, life, and environmental sciences for more than a decade. Her work has appeared in educational lessons, textbooks, and magazines, and on radio and the Web.