March 29, 2024
Updated April 5, 2025
18 minute read
Conservation Biologist: Protecting Our Planet's Biodiversity
Conservation biology is the scientific discipline dedicated to understanding and protecting the Earth's vast biodiversity. It focuses on analyzing the threats facing species, habitats, and ecosystems, aiming to develop and implement strategies to prevent extinctions and restore ecological health. This field is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing knowledge from biology, genetics, ecology, and social sciences to address complex environmental problems.
Working as a conservation biologist can be deeply rewarding, offering opportunities to engage directly with the natural world and contribute to its preservation. Many find excitement in conducting fieldwork in diverse environments, from remote wilderness areas to urban landscapes, and satisfaction in seeing their research translate into tangible conservation actions. While the path presents challenges, the chance to combine scientific inquiry with advocacy for a healthier planet motivates many dedicated professionals.
Overview of Conservation Biology
What is Conservation Biology?
lc9yhq|
Find a path to becoming a Conservation Biologist. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/career/lc9yhq/conservation
Reading list
We've selected some books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Conservation Biologist.
Clear and concise explanation of the theory of evolution. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the scientific evidence for evolution.
This classic book provides a comprehensive overview of the greenhouse effect and its implications for the Earth's climate.
Provides a detailed exploration of each of the nine Planetary Boundaries and discusses the challenges and opportunities for staying within the safe operating space for humanity. The book is written by two of the lead scientists who developed the Planetary Boundaries concept.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Planetary Boundaries concept and its implications for human development. The book is written by a team of leading scientists and policymakers and provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the Planetary Boundaries and how to use them to guide sustainable development.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of climate change, including the role of greenhouse gases and the potential impacts of climate change.
Explores the history of the discovery of greenhouse gases and their impact on the Earth's climate.
Is the second in a series of books on the Planetary Boundaries. This book provides a detailed analysis of each of the nine Planetary Boundaries and discusses the challenges and opportunities for staying within the safe operating space for humanity. The book is written by a team of leading scientists and provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the Planetary Boundaries and how to use them to guide sustainable development.
Classic work of popular science that argues for the scientific validity of evolution. It must-read for anyone interested in the history of life on Earth.
Offers a broad and accessible overview of past mass extinctions and compellingly argues that we are currently living through a sixth, human-caused extinction event. It is an excellent starting point for anyone new to the topic, providing essential background knowledge and introducing contemporary issues. It's widely acclaimed and has won a Pulitzer Prize, making it a must-read for a general understanding.
Explores the evolutionary history of the human body, from our fish-like ancestors to the present day. It fascinating and informative read for anyone interested in human biology.
Explores the philosophical implications of the theory of evolution. It challenging and thought-provoking read that will change the way you think about the world.
Delves into the science behind the five major mass extinctions in Earth's history, exploring various theories including volcanism and asteroid impacts. It provides a deeper understanding of the geological and environmental factors that have driven extinction in the past, offering valuable context for the current crisis. The author science journalist, making the complex topics engaging for a broad audience.
Connects past extinction events to the current biodiversity crisis, emphasizing the role of human activities. It offers a contemporary perspective on the challenges and potential solutions for preventing a sixth mass extinction, making it highly relevant to the modern context of the topic. Barnosky paleobiologist with expertise in the current extinction crisis.
Focusing on the alarming decline in insect populations globally, this book highlights a critical aspect of the current biodiversity crisis that often receives less attention than vertebrate extinctions. It underscores the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the potential cascading effects of insect loss, providing a contemporary and urgent perspective on extinction.
This book, originally published in 1972, was one of the first to warn of the environmental limits to economic growth. It has been updated several times, and the latest edition includes a new chapter on the Planetary Boundaries concept.
Focusing on the Permian-Triassic extinction event, the most severe known in Earth's history, this book provides a detailed account of a specific, pivotal extinction. It's valuable for deepening understanding of the scale and potential causes of mass extinction events. Michael J. Benton leading paleontologist, lending significant authority to the subject matter.
Comprehensive overview of the fossil record. It valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of life on Earth.
Provides a comprehensive overview of global warming, including the role of greenhouse gases and the potential impacts of climate change.
Provides a comprehensive overview of human evolution, from our earliest ancestors to the present day. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and is suitable for both students and general readers.
Explores the concept of the extended phenotype, which is the idea that genes can have effects on the environment that in turn affect the fitness of the organism. It groundbreaking work that has had a major impact on our understanding of evolution.
Another valuable contribution from Michael J. Benton, this book examines how life has recovered and evolved following mass extinction events. It provides a crucial perspective on the aftermath of extinctions and the resilience of life, adding depth to the understanding of the topic beyond just the causes of disappearance.
Written by one of the scientists who proposed the asteroid impact theory for the dinosaur extinction, this book tells the story of that scientific discovery. It's a compelling account of scientific process and the evidence for a major extinction event, highly relevant to understanding the K-Pg extinction discussed in some courses.
Examines the evidence for evolution and extinction found within DNA sequences. It offers a molecular perspective on how life has changed and disappeared over time, complementing the fossil record. Sean B. Carroll leading evolutionary biologist, and the book provides a deeper, more technical understanding suitable for undergraduates and above.
Focuses specifically on the K-Pg extinction event that wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs. It provides a detailed and engaging narrative of the events surrounding this major extinction, suitable for readers interested in the specifics of the dinosaur extinction.
By Bill McKibben powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the ways in which human activities are altering the planet's ecosystems. McKibben argues that we are entering a new era in which the natural world will no longer be able to support human life as we know it.
Phylogenetic classification of all living things. It valuable resource for anyone interested in the diversity of life on Earth.
This concise book offers a good starting point for understanding the fundamental concepts of extinction, including background extinction rates and mass extinction events. It's suitable for high school and early undergraduate students seeking a foundational understanding before diving into more detailed texts. It serves as a valuable introductory resource.
An earlier book also titled 'The Sixth Extinction,' this work by renowned paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin argues that human activity is driving a new wave of extinctions. It was an important precursor to later works on the topic and remains valuable for understanding the development of the concept of human-caused extinction.
A more academic text, this book provides a detailed overview of mass extinction events throughout Earth's history and the subsequent recovery of life. It useful reference for advanced undergraduate and graduate students seeking a comprehensive and technical treatment of the subject.
Explores the cutting-edge science and ethical considerations surrounding the possibility of bringing extinct species back to life. It delves into contemporary topics related to extinction and the future of biodiversity, offering a thought-provoking look at de-extinction efforts.
Blends memoir, science, and Indigenous wisdom to explore the relationship between humans and the natural world, specifically plants. The author deftly shares knowledge of traditional ecological knowledge through storytelling and scientific research. This book offers a unique and nuanced perspective of nature, the environment, and sustainability.
Provides an overview of the latest scientific discoveries and changing perspectives in paleontology, including new insights into dinosaur evolution and extinction. It's a valuable resource for understanding the dynamic nature of scientific research in this field and how our understanding of past extinctions continues to evolve.
Produced in conjunction with the Natural History Museum in London, this book provides a guide to mass extinction events for a general audience. It's a good resource for gaining a broad understanding of the major extinction events and their impact on the history of life.
Presents the case for volcanism as a primary driver of mass extinctions, offering a counterpoint to the impact hypothesis for some events. It's valuable for understanding the scientific debates and different perspectives on the causes of mass extinctions.
While not solely about extinction, this classic book explores the concept of contingency in the history of life through the lens of the Burgess Shale fossils. It challenges deterministic views of evolution and highlights how chance events, including extinctions, have shaped the trajectory of life. It's a foundational text in paleontology and evolutionary biology.
Examines the collapse of several past societies and argues that environmental factors played a major role in their downfall. Diamond provides some lessons that we can learn from these past collapses and offers some suggestions for how we can avoid a similar fate.
Explores the legal implications of climate change, including the role of greenhouse gases and the potential impacts of climate change.
By Naomi Klein powerful and provocative indictment of capitalism and its role in driving the climate crisis. Klein argues that we cannot solve the climate crisis without addressing the systemic problems of our economic system.
Collection of essays by leading climate activists, scientists, and writers. The essays provide a diverse range of perspectives on the climate crisis, and they offer a powerful call to action.
By Amitav Ghosh powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the ways in which climate change is changing our world. Ghosh argues that we need to find new ways to think about climate change if we want to find solutions to the crisis.
By Bill McKibben passionate and personal account of the climate crisis. McKibben argues that we need to change our way of life if we want to save the planet.
By E.O. Wilson sweeping and ambitious work that explores the future of life on Earth. Wilson argues that we need to protect the planet's biodiversity if we want to ensure our own survival.
By Alan Weisman thought-provoking exploration of what would happen to the planet if humans were to disappear. Weisman argues that the Earth would be better off without us.
Catalogues animals that have become extinct since 1500, often with accompanying illustrations. It provides a poignant look at individual species losses in recent history, highlighting the ongoing nature of extinction and the impact of human activities.
This book, based on a radio series, documents journeys to find endangered species around the world. While a popular science book with a humorous tone, it provides poignant insights into the plight of individual species facing extinction and the efforts to save them. It offers a ground-level view of the biodiversity crisis.
Provides a detailed case study of the extinction of a single species, the cave bear. It offers insights into the factors that can lead to the demise of a species, including environmental changes and competition. It's a classic in paleontology for its in-depth focus on a specific example of extinction.
This children's book tells the story of a Lorax, who speaks for the trees. The Lorax powerful reminder of the importance of protecting the environment and the consequences of environmental destruction.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/career/lc9yhq/conservation
Save
