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Summary: The Diversity of Life
Review: The Diversity of Life written by Edward O. Wilson is a very descriptively historical writing about biodiversity and the intergration of man and the changes that have evolved over time. The author is an entomologist and a Harvard professor making a lucid point with scientific explanation about the deterioration of the physicial enviornment and its effect upon man in the long term.Wilson eloquently describes how species diversification was accomplished and how the loss of this diversification of biodiversity, would be an enormous loss to mankind. Wilson's major theme throughout the book is to save the the planet from man's development, loss of biodiversity and its effects, and the repair and reversal of the deliterious affects of the physical enviornment. I found the book to have truth in the end result, but to accomplish this end, things would radically change in the short run. The book does open ones eyes to what is going on around us daily, things that if only looking with a keen eye would you notice. Wilson's engaging and nontechonical prose work through the subject matter and offers a fresh perspective. This book will give the reader broad views of evolution, but with enough specifics to illustrate the point. The book has excellent illustrations, further developing the argument, making this a classical text as we read the last section, where the enviornmental ethic makes Wilson's point. Do NOT be alarmed by the science in this book, as it is straight forward and easily understood, so the reader should make it through with no problem. Whether examining insects or a patch of grass, Wilson has mastered the science and brings it to the reader in understandable form.
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Summary: Carrying on Rachael Carson's Torch
Review: This book crystalizes the warning signs pointing out the imminant colapse of our global ecosystem. E. O. Wilson supports his assertions with undeniable scientific evidence depicting the rampant decline in global biodiversity. This book should be required reading for anyone living on the planet earth. I anxiously await his next book due out in January 2002.
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Summary: If you like science writings
Review: This book is excellent reading for anyone wishing to know the state of the world that we depend on. It also provides a scholarly account of natural biological facts of life for those inclined to know more. Written in a somewhat heavy, scientific format, much like a textbook, this book is not for people who dislike reading science journals.
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Summary: Diversity of Life
Review: This book was good because it introduced new atmostpheres of the world and how different environments are structured. It analyzed the affects that an environment has on species. It also sets up hypothetical siuations that allow the read to think of "what ifs." Wilson gives examples that show thing from different perspectives, which is a positive aspect of the book. The only bad thing was that some of the book was ranting on. I felt that some things could have been said in a more consice way.
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Summary: Impressive and clever defence of biodiversity.
Review: This is an important book.
But first a warning: readers should have some basic biological knowledge and part of the book (with many examples and useful digressions) will only appeal to botanists/microbiologists. Prof. Wilson clearly demonstrates that the world's demographic explosion initiated a big extinction of all sort of biological species and that we have to stop this, for biodiversity is priceless.
Governments take the biological wealth of their country not serious enough. He states for instance that fewer than 3 percent of the flowering plants of the world have been examined for alkoloids and that many species are at risk. Prof. Wilson illustrates very forcefully the impact of biodiversity by giving numerous examples from the medical, pharmaceutical, energy and agricultural field with colossal numbers in $ for actual applications.
To give one example: 'the rosy periwinkle of Madagascar produces two alkaloids that cure most victims of two of the deadliest of cancers, Hodgkin's disease and acute lymphocytic leukaemia. The income from the manufacture and sale of these two substances exceeds $ 180 million a year.' (p.271) This is a very important book for the future of humanity. It cannot be underrated.
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Summary: Students Review
Review: We were required to read this book by our Environmental Science teacher. After reading the first chapter, we were entranced by this stunning literary masterpiece. Throughout the book, Wilson discusses major topics such as evolution, biodynamics, and human impact on the environment. This is a must have in any scientific reader's library. We enjoyed the pretty photographs also.
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Summary: Good biological overview, with some personal viewpoints
Review: Wilson presents examples from a wide range of species, from birds to insects, and geographic areas from tropics to coral reefs. When he includes his first- hand experience the points are particularly well presented. For example, for Florida he presents his own work on insect re-colonization of mangrove islands. His discussion of community ecology and area-species equations were well done. We may like to think we know the world, but the chapter on number of unknown species is surprising! At times, it is not clear what is just his view, or which is a widely accepted among scientists. For example, I am not sure that the Energy-Stability-Area hypothesis is widely accepted as explanation of tropical diversity. His presentation of the value and ethic of diversity may not be for everyone, but is thought provoking. I would not agree with him that all developers understand the practical value of wild species. At times he comes across as an American biologist "having the answers" for third-world counties, rather than looking for deeper understand of these problems, that aren't purely biological. I found Hecht and Cockburns "The Fate of the Forest" a deeper understanding of the issues in the Tropics. I would also take particular issue with his idea of creation "synthetic faunas" is an arrogance that science can solve and create. In Florida, we have way to many exotics already!
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Summary: origins of biodiversity and what we can do to save it.
Review: Wilson starts out the book with good information on biodiversity covering such topics as adaptive radiation and hybridazation. A good book to understand the evolutionary process. The most intrseting part is talk about the current level of extinction. that shows the years of 'human impact' equal the extinctions of the dinosaur years. Also includes what we can do to stop it.
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Summary: What's the big deal if some animals go extinct?
Review: Wilson tells you, about how today we are in the 5th great contraction of species as many are going extinct all around us. But so many of the animals are interconnected like a tower of cards - remove one and the system may collapse. Citing concrete examples, Wilson demonstrates how this can be true on the small, and large scale. The diversity of animals and plants is important to all life, but also for the benefits to man that have yet to be discovered. Wilson begins with a discussion of what is a species (of plant or animal) and how they diversify. While this can be at times very academic and dry, it forms the basis necessary for further discussion and exmaples. He shows how life migrates to the far reaches of the earth and how a "dead" island rarely stays dead for long. If anything, this gives the glimer of hope in his otherwise dire message - life has a way of surviving and growing - it may not be pretty, but it usually works. But that doesn't mean we can ignore the threats to our planet's life. For while many may not give a care about there being hundreds of species of ants (in fact they may want to reach for the RAID), nature cares, and each one has it's place and roll in the system. For many of us, our only exposure to animals may be in the back yard, or in a zoo, but there is so much more out there, and Wilson tries to show you this. It's far too late to call this a wake up call. But suffice it to be another kick in the pants for fear of our future.
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