Do we need pandas? : the uncomfortable truth about biodiversity / Ken Thompson.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

A fascinating popular science book that reveals how much we really know n and donit know n about the natural world. It explains why we need to be more concerned about ecosystems than individual iconic species such as the giant panda and gorilla. How much do we really know about the species that make up the natural world and how they interrelate? In this fascinating book Ken Thompson explains what we do and donit understand about biodiversity: why some places are much more diverse than others; how many species there (probably) really are; and he looks at attempts to value biodiversity in economic terms. He argues that we need to look at ecosystems rather than biodiversity per se. Our modern landscape created by intensive farming delivers cheap food (for both animals and people) in unprecedented quantities n but unfortunately thatis all it delivers. Our challenge is to devise multifunctional landscapes that deliver better water quality, less soil erosion, more carbon storage and healthier, happier livestock, that are also less dependent on cheap oil and phosphorus. If we can do that, then plants, moths, butterflies, bumblebees and birds will all gain too, but these biodiversity benefits will only be welcome side-effects of fixing the fundamental controls on ecosystem functioning.