Biodiversity is a general term first used by Raymond F. Dassman (1968) who appears to be the first conservationist or wildlife biologist to use the term “biological diversity,” and it was more generally integrated into the language of conservation biology by Thomas Lovejoy in his forward to Conservation Biology: An evolutionary-ecological perspective (1980). The term is often shortened to “biodiversity,” first generally used as the title of a book by E. O. Wilson (1988).
According to Noss (1990), “A definition of biodiversity that is altogether simple, comprehensive, and fully operational (i.e., responsive to real-life management and regulatory questions) is unlikely to be found.” Noss suggested that instead of attempting to restrict the term via definition, we should construct a “characterization of biodiversity that identifies the major components at several levels of organization.” Such a construct conceptualizes biological diversity within a nested biological hierarchy that ranges in order from genes, to species, to biotic communities or ecosystems, to landscapes. Lautenshclager (1997) declared the death of biodiversity and stated that the problem with the word is not a lock of an acceptable definition, but that the definition is too all-inclusive. The word commonly fails to provide understanding when used in communications or in directions for research or management. Nontheless, it has become a general term associated with the conversion of natural habitats to human uses and protection for endangered species. Bunnell and and Johnson (1998) devote a book to challenges facing forest management focused on "biodiversity." Focusing on ecological problems associated with biological homogenization (Lockwood and McKinney 2001) is perhaps an alternative research and management question to pursue (see Keesing et al. 2010) AYost Bunnell, F.L., Johnson, J.F. 1998. Policy and practices for biodiversity in managed forests. UBC Press, University of British Columbia. 162 pp. Dasmann, R. F. 1968. A different kind of country. The MacMillan Company, New York Wilson, E. O. 1988. Biodiversity. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. Keesing et al. 2010. Impacts of biodiversity on the emergence and transmission of infectious diseases. Nature. Vol 468. 647-652. Lautenshclager, R.A. 1997. Biodiversity is dead. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 25(3):679-685 Lockwood, J.L., McKinney, M.L. 2001. Biotic homogenization. Springer, 289 pages (http://books.google.com/books?id=Edjzv-M6uKYC&dq=biological+homogenization&source=gbs_navlinks_s) Noss, R.F. (1990). Indicators for monitoring biodiversity: a hierarchical approach. Conservation Biology, 4(4), 355-364. --- On Mon, 12/13/10, Ritchie, Euan <[email protected]> wrote: > From: Ritchie, Euan <[email protected]> > Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Defining biodiversity, and does the term capture the > public's attention? > To: [email protected] > Date: Monday, December 13, 2010, 1:05 PM > Hi everyone, > > I have just returned from the Ecological Society of > Australia meeting and among other issues, there was much > discussion about the term biodiversity. Many people argue > that this term is hard to define, and importantly, the > public have no idea what it actually means and therefore > they have less connection/concern to preserve/conserve > species and habitats. I thought it would be interesting to > hear how others define biodiversity, and if this term isn't > helpful for conveying the importance of species diversity to > the public, what term(s) should we use? > > Over to you, > > Euan > > > Dr. Euan G. Ritchie, Lecturer in Ecology, School of Life > and Environmental Sciences > Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia. > Building T, Room T3.09.3 > Phone: 03 9251 7606 International: +61 3 9251 7606 > Mobile: 041 888 2992 > Fax: 03 9251 7626 International: > +61 3 9251 7626 > Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> > Skype: euanritchie > Website: http://www.deakin.edu.au/scitech/les/staff/ritchiee/ > Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code 00113B > > Important Notice: The contents of this email are intended > solely for the named addressee and are confidential; any > unauthorised use, reproduction or storage of the contents is > expressly prohibited. If you have received this email in > error, please delete it and any attachments immediately and > advise the sender by return email or telephone. > Deakin University does not warrant that this email and any > attachments are error or virus free. >
