Nature in danger

About this book

In Nature in Danger, conservation expert Noel Simon offers a detailed picture of the many threats to the natural world, and reveals what we can do to protect the environment from overexploitation. This illustrated and informative volume takes us on a journey to some of the world's most striking climes, from the Okavango Delta to the Tibetan Plateau, and from African savannas to the island of Tristan da Cunha. Simon examines the many varieties of rainforest, from Brazilian Amazonia to the forests of Zaire; wetlands as diverse as the Florida Everglades, the Mekong delta, and the Aral Sea; grasslands from the North American prairies to the Eurasian steppe; mountain ranges from the Rockies and the Andes to the Himalayas and the Alps; reefs and islands such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Galapagos Archipelago, Madagascar, and Hawaii; the world's great deserts; and Antarctica. He describes the flora and fauna of each place he visits, traces the history of human exploitation right up to the present, and outlines ways in which these threats can be met. In addition, the book offers a special section on endangered species, highlighting the perilous circumstances of orangutans, blue whales, the African elephant, the giant panda, and many other animals and plants. Simon describes each species, tells how many remain extant, and outlines what we are doing to save them. Finally, the book includes a glossary of terms, a directory of species names, a bibliography, and an index.