附註:Includes bibliographical references (pages 273-290) and index.
Preface / Dan McCorquodale -- Biodiversity basics -- What is biodiversity and why should we care about it? -- The need for action -- How biodiversity is lost -- Lessons from California's recent past -- How is biodiversity lost? -- Lessons from conservation biology -- Why is conservation difficult? -- The status of biological diversity in California today -- Genetic diversity -- Species diversity -- Terrestrial ecosystem diversity -- Aquatic ecosystem diversity -- What do these trends portend for the future? -- Threats to biodiversity in California -- Land use and habitat conversion -- Water use and water developments -- Commodity use of natural resources -- Pollution -- Global atmospheric change -- Barriers to biodiversity conservation in California -- Limits to the protection parks can provide -- Cumulative effects of incremental losses and multiple threats -- Gaps in mandate -- Gaps in enforcement and implementation -- Conflicts between state and federal interests -- Development versus conservation : local land use conflicts -- Conflicts between economic valuation and irreplaceable resources -- Knowledge gaps -- Gaps in education.
Recommendations: a strategy for conservation -- Mandate that the protection of biodiversity is state policy -- Establish the California Habitat Protection Act -- Establish the California Biodiversity Conservation Board -- Establish the California Biodiversity Research Institute -- Ensure implementaiton and enforcement of existing laws -- Acquire and protect significant natural areas -- Reduce environmental illiteracy -- Broaden representation on state policy-making bodies -- Close the loopholes in the California Endangered Species Act -- Protect biodiversity in the face of global atmospheric change -- Epilogue: policy trends -- Biodiversity mandate -- Habitat conservation -- Is sustainable management an option? -- Private and public resources use--who decides? -- Negotiated solutions achieving new favor -- Cautious optimism for the future.
