Hidden Pathways to Extinction

Ecological interactions are a major driver of the sixth mass extinction, with most extinctions happening unnoticed and involving less eye-catching organisms. Ecologists now consider such mechanisms as a fundamental driver of the biodiversity crisis, and Hidden Pathways to Extinction provides convincing evidence that we are primarily responsible for the fall in biodiversity and need to redouble our conservation efforts now.

Format: Hardback
Length: 237 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The book provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental roles that ecological interactions play in extinction processes, unveiling an intricate network of hidden pathways leading to a grim destination: biodiversity loss. We find ourselves in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, witnessing the decline and disappearance of species one after another. Poached rhinos, dolphins, and whales, as well as pandas surviving solely in captivity, serve as poignant emotional testimonies to the unfolding events. However, the primary threat to natural communities may be overshadowed by the unnoticed disappearance of large species, with the majority of extinctions involving less eye-catching organisms such as parasites and pollinators. Ecosystems are teeming with countless invisible wires connecting organisms in dense networks of ecological interactions. Through these networks, perturbations can propagate from one species to another, resulting in unpredictable effects. In worst-case scenarios, the loss of one species can doom many others to extinction. Ecologists now recognize these mechanisms as fundamental drivers of the ongoing biodiversity crisis, which remains poorly understood.

Hidden Pathways to Extinction sheds light on the unseen connections linking the fates of species and organisms, exploring why complexity can enhance ecosystem stability while simultaneously accelerating species loss. Page after page, Strona presents compelling evidence that we bear primary responsibility for the decline in biodiversity, that we are falling behind, and that urgent conservation efforts are necessary to prevent further decline. The clock is ticking, and we must act now to safeguard our natural world before it slips away.

Weight: 541g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030867638
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022