Paradise Lost: Ecological Economics of Biodiversity

Our wellbeing-even our existence-depends on ecological systems and biological diversity. Ecologists and economists alike recognise that loss of biodiversity is one of the most serious problems the world faces yet their narrow, conventional approaches often fail to grasp all the implications of the problem. New, interdisciplinary thinking is required to safeguard both us and the biosphere from the effects of species extinction. Paradise Lost, the outcome of a unique collaboration between economists and ecologists initiated by the Beijer Institute of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, shows how an integrated approach can understand and tackle the issue: Part 1 provides an overview of the causes of the problem, and of previous approaches to dealing with it; Part 2 examines the effects of biodiversity loss on specific natural systems and the limits to our current knowledge; Part 3 looks at the policy implications discussing the ecological limits to economic activity and the management institutions needed to make an integrated approach effective and Part 4 presents the conclusions: the future research needed and the policy challenges which have to be confronted. Stimulating and clearly written, this book provides a comprehensive account for those academically or professionally involved, and for anyone wanting to know what is at stake and what can be done.