Description
Book SynopsisIn the twentieth century, scientists in the relatively new field of biology played an important role in exposing the threats of environmental degradation, loss of species diversity, habitat fragmentation, scarce energy resources, and human population growth. In the essays found in A New Century of Biology, some of the world's most notable biologists consider how their discipline must evolve to address these problems in the twenty-first century. The next one hundred years, the contributors argue, will likely be dominated by breakthroughs in evolutionary biology and systems ecology; by an increased need for scientists to integrate research, teaching, and service missions; and by problem-solving ventures on greater spatial and temporal scales. Because human activity and increased population will continue to have a profound impact on the environment, biologists must define an effective strategy for integrating the biological sciences with global economics and human social structure. The eleven contributors are leaders in the fields of ecology, and evolution, morphology, and development, behavior, microbiology, ecosystem energetics and biogeochemistry, biodiversity and conservation biology, and human sciences. While acknowledging the real problems their discipline must address, they offer an optimistic agenda for the future.
Trade Review"When thinking about the future of biology, let us think of the vast benefits which biology has brought to humankind in the past. Indeed, biology is likely to continue to bring us in the future equally unexpected benefits." - Ernst Mayr, from the foreword
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword: Biology in the Twenty-First Century Chapter 2 Preface: A New Century of Biology Chapter 3 Acknowledgements Chapter 4 Contributors Chapter 5 1. Introduction: The New Revolution in Biology Chapter 6 2. Bacteria in the Origins of Species: Demise of the Neo-Darwinian Paradigm Chapter 7 3. Bodies and Body Plans, and How They Came to Be Chapter 8 4. Ecosystems: Energetics and Biogeochemistry Chapter 9 5. Behavior, Ecology, and Evolution Chapter 10 6. Conserving Biodiversity into the New Century Chapter 11 7. The New Age of Biological Exploration Chapter 12 8. Lumpy Integration of Tropical Wild Biodiversity with Its Society Chapter 13 9. Biology and the Human Sciences: Pathways of Consilience
