Global forest fragmentation

Global Forest Fragmentation is a short book on a complicated topic. The 11 chapters are brief yet still bring a balance in both subject area and perspective. They cover history, drivers of fragmentation, the basic ecological implications of fragmentation, and both the genetic understanding and implications of fragmentation. Separate chapters provide focused material on the relationships between fragmentation and conservation, agriculture, and climate change. The two chapters on the socioeconomic aspects of fragmentation (livelihoods and governance) are a welcome change from many such chapters in other books with an ecological focus. These two chapters explore the nuances and intricacies of human management and mismanagement; they are more than the wishful thinking that can sometimes dominate management chapters. While many chapters use examples that seem to contradict each other, the examples serve to illustrate the complexity and local variability in the causes and impacts of fragmentation. Readers should be aware that while the title says global, the book contains significantly more material related to the moist tropics than elsewhere. Each chapter has extensive citations. Global Forest Fragmentation is an excellent and current introduction to the topic.--B. D. Orr, Michigan Technological UniversitySumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners.