The biological diversity of our planet is being depleted due to the direct and indirect consequences of human activity. As the size of animal and plant populations decrease, loss of genetic diversity reduces their ability to adapt to changes in the environment, with inbreeding depression an inevitable consequence for many species. This textbook provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the importance of genetic studies in conservation. The text is presented in an easy-to-follow format with main points and terms clearly highlighted. Each chapter concludes with a concise summary, which, together with worked examples and problems and answers, emphasise the key principles covered. Text boxes containing interesting case studies and other additional information enrich the content throughout, and over 100 beautiful pen and ink portraits of endangered species help bring the material to life.

‘… an excellent introduction to population and quantitative genetics … Introduction to Conservation Genetics is an important book; it has authoritative reviews and lucid descriptions of population and quantitative genetics. it is beautifully put together and illustrated … I anticipate that this book and its successors will be the standard text and reference for years to come.’

Charles E. Taylor Source: Conservation Biology

‘At last, a stand-alone text on conservation genetics! … this important book should be compulsory reading …’.

Source: Pacific Conservation Biology

‘ … fills an empty niche and should provide a nice foundation for courses in conservation genetics … given its breadth and up-to-date treatment of the literature, the text should be of considerable value to students interested in conservation genetics and to the professional who needs a complete reference.’TRENDS in Ecology & Evolution‘Conservation genetics is a new and applied discipline and is in need of an introductory treatment; Introduction to Conservation Genetics fills that gap.’

Source: TRENDS in Ecology & Evolution

‘… a good introduction to the topic. There are strong diagrams to aid understanding and a range of summaries, reading lists and problems to stretch the mind further.’

Source: TEG News

‘This book represents, to my knowledge, the first (and long overdue) textbook focussing entirely on conservation genetics and the authors should be commended for doing a great job in putting it together … the book is an absolute must for students staff and the layman interested in conservation genetics.’

Source: African Zoology

‘… a very welcome addition to my library … we finally have a text that does a good job of integrating population and evolutionary genetic theory with real-world conservation genetic examples and applications.’

Source: BioScience

'… an in-depth treatment of the subject suitable … as a university textbook and for professionals in the field.'

Source: Journal of Genetical Research

'… an important book; it is ambitious in scope and scale and is likely to be the standard text and reference for years to come.'

Source: Journal of Insect Conservation

'… much more than an 'introduction' to conservation genetics, it is an in-depth treatment of the subject suitable as a university textbook and for professionals in the field.'

Josephine Pemberton - University of Edinburgh