A highly readable introduction to the causes of extinction, the different types of extinction, and how relevant it is to the world today   More than 999 of every 1,000 species that have ever lived on the planet have become extinct. As part of evolution, extinction of the old allows emergence of the new. It is integral to the Earth's continually changing range and richness of life forms. This book discusses today's key issues, from biodiversity and conservation to the threat of human extinction, and explores the major extinction events of the past, explaining how scientists know all this. Throughout the book there are engaging extinction case studies from around the world showing, for example, how local extinctions such as the large blue butterfly can be reversed. Presenting the latest research in an accessible and engaging way, this is a complete introduction to an important and often complex subject.