This book presents the first comprehensive scenarios of biodiversity for the earth's major terrestrial biomes and freshwater ecosystems in the twenty-first century. The editors combine physical science and conservation biology, assessing the response of biodiversity to variations in land use, climate, the oceans, and the chemistry of the air we breathe. Future Scenarios of Global Biodiversity will be of interest to all those concerned with guiding research on the changing environment of the earth and with planning future policy, especially in accordance with the Global Biodiversity Convention.

From the reviews of the first edition:

"Chapin et al. provide the most insightful analysis and credible forecast on the future of the world biodiversity in response to the global environmental change. The book examines the biodiversity scenarios for eight major biomes in the world . Many have had high expectations for this book after reading a summary of it in Science. I think it likely that the scholarship and insights demonstrated by Chapin et al. will make it another highly cited volume, just like the IPCC report." (Ye Qi, Ecology, Vol. 83 (5), 2002)

"This is the latest volume in Springer's well known and acclaimed Ecological Studies series and as such certainly lives up to the reputation of its predecessors. The result is a treasure chest of information that will be of interest and food for thought for a wide variety of readers. The quality of production is extremely high . This volume is destined to become essential reading for any university course that includes consideration of biodiversity conservation, environmental change and ecosystem functioning." (Barry Meatyard, Biological Conservation, Issue 109, 2003)

Inhalt

The Future of Biodiversity in a Changing World.- 2. Modeling the Response of Vegetation Distribution and Biodiversity to Climate Change.- 3. The Use of Global-Change Scenarios to Determine Changes in Species and Habitats.- 4. Soil Biodiversity.- 5. Scenarios of Biodiversity Changes in Arctic and Alpine Tundra.- 6. Boreal Forest.- 7. Temperate Grasslands.- 8. Tropical Savanna.- 9. Mediterranean-Climate Ecosystems.- 10. Deserts.- 11. Temperate Forests of North and South America.- 12. Tropical Forests.- 13. Lakes.- 14. Fish Diversity in Streams and Rivers.- 15. Potential Biodiversity Change: Global Patterns and Biome Comparisons.