Legendary conservationists show us that we still have the power to prevent critical consequences of the sixth extinction in this game-changing book.

Can we save threatened animals and ecosystems in the midst of a mass extinction? The answer is a resounding yes! Before They Vanish shows us how. In this wise and impassioned book, renowned conservation scientists Paul R. Ehrlich, Gerardo Ceballos, and Rodolfo Dirzo urge us to shift our thinking rather than succumb to grief over the losses that humanity faces. This comprehensive look at a crucial but often overlooked aspect of conservation—population extinction, or the loss of a species within a specific geographic location—guides us onto a new, hopeful path.

The authors argue that conservationists have placed too much emphasis on the extinction of entire species, which occurs gradually enough that we only detect it in the direst of cases. By that time, meaningful action may be impossible. By shifting our focus to identifying extinction threats at the more localized population level, we can intervene more rapidly and effectively to prevent broader declines before its too late. This change in perspective represents a critical step in saving these vanishing species; early detection and intervention may be our last, best hope for stemming the tide of this global crisis.

Using examples from the worlds of vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, the authors explain the concept of population extinction, its causes and consequences, and how to prevent the mass destruction of the amazing and unique creatures with whom we share our planet. This call to action is a must-read for anyone concerned with saving endangered and threatened species, our natural world—and ourselves.

Paul R. Ehrlich is the emeritus Bing Professor of Population Studies in the Department of Biology and the president of the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University. He is the author of The Population Bomb and Human Natures: Genes, Cultures, and the Human Prospect. Gerardo Ceballos, one of the worlds leading ecologists, is a professor at the Institute of Ecology at National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He has established more than twenty protected areas in Mexico and is the author or coauthor of more than 55 books. Ehrlich and Ceballos are coauthors of The Annihilation of Nature: Human Extinction of Birds and Mammals. Rodolfo Dirzo, one of the worlds leading conservation scientists, is the Bing Professor of Environmental Science in the Departments of Biology and Earth Systems Science at Stanford University and a senior fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment.

Foreword Jared Diamond Preface Chapter 1. From Origins to Extinction Chapter 2. The Sixth Mass Extinction Chapter 3. Lost and Vanishing Mammals Chapter 4. Bird Songs Long Gone and Declining Chapter 5. The Silent Crisis: Other Vertebrates Chapter 6. Ignored Victims: Invertebrates Chapter 7. Vanishing Green: Plants-Our Emerald Treasure Chapter 8. Microbes: A Hidden World Chapter 9. Defaunation Chapter 10. Drivers of Extinction Chapter 11. Natures Decline: The Costs Chapter 12. The Cure: A Bittersweet Pill Notes References Standard and Scientific Name Index Subject Index

Legendary conservationists show us that we still have the power to prevent critical consequences of the sixth extinction in this game-changing book.

Reading this outstanding book, one will gain an appreciation of the way in which tens of millions of species have evolved together over 4.5 billion years on our planet, leading to the great extinction of today. Highly recommended!

— Peter H. Raven, Washington University in St. Louis

This magnificent, painstaking work is an ode to life. Written by todays foremost experts on biodiversity loss, this is scientific writing at its truest.

— Sir Partha Dasgupta, University of Cambridge

This beautifully written and illustrated book shows how we are all a part of nature, and all we now stand to lose from declines in the numbers of even common organisms. The authors lay out a hopeful path to harmonizing people and nature—and a role for everyone.

— Gretchen C. Daily, Stanford University

This book connects us deeply with the amazing diversity of forms of life with which we share this planet. Addressing the loss of populations of species requires an urgent shift toward engaging in meaningful, caring, and reciprocal ways with populations of common as well as rare species. This book represents a compelling invitation to do so.

— Patricia Balvanera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Before They Vanish is more than just a book; it is a call to arms. It urges us to confront our own complicity in the destruction of biodiversity and to take meaningful action to safeguard the wonders of our planet for generations to come. With its eloquent prose and unwavering optimism, this book stands as a testament to the power of knowledge, compassion, and collective action in the face of adversity.

— Cristina Mittermeier, photographer / conservationist / cofounder of SeaLegacy