Wildlife Management and Conservation: Contemporary Principles and Practices (2nd edition)By Paul R.Krausman and James W.Cain III (Eds.), Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press. 2022. pp. 472. $99.95 (hardcover). ISBN: 9781421443966

In the ever changing and evolving field of wildlife management, it is vital that the foundation of knowledge used to train new professionals is evaluated and updated frequently. The second edition of Wildlife Management and Conservation: Contemporary Principles and Practices builds upon the first edition (Gann 2014) and introduces new ideas to changes and challenges in the wildlife discipline. The text is published in association with, and endorsed by, The Wildlife Society (TWS) and is made possible by many TWS members who served as chapter authors. New and evolving challenges are faced every day in wildlife management; changes to technology and the growth of human populations continue to alter the landscape, requiring up-to-date information for wildlife professionals. As such, 46 leaders in the wildlife profession came together to write 20 chapters for the second edition. The chapters address the changing science faced in wildlife management along with concerns that future leaders in the wildlife profession will need to address. All chapters have been updated, but noticeable additions to the text are Chapter 12, Plant-Animal Interactions, and a glossary with important terms defined at the end of the book. Although not divided into sections, chapters 1–5 introduce students and readers to wildlife and wildlife management (Chapter 1), the history of wildlife management (Chapter 2), human dimensions (Chapter 4), and decision making (Chapter 5) while learning what it takes to be a wildlife professional (Chapter 3). Chapter 1 provides foundational concepts and sets the tone for the book, especially as it relates to the wildlife management triad: wildlife populations, humans, and the environment (or habitat). The chapter also highlights political and policy issues, active versus inactive management, and contentious issues (e.g., confined animals) in the context of defining wildlife. Naturally following Chapter 1, The History of Wildlife Conservation in North America (Chapter 2) introduces the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and the importance of this model for modern day wildlife management. Other noteworthy topics are the history of Native Americans and their interactions with wildlife, market hunting, wildlife interest groups, laws, and court cases—all of which have shaped wildlife management. Ultimately, Chapter 2 lays the foundation of the public trust doctrine that professionals use to balance and make decisions. Of interest to young professionals, Chapter 3 introduces the reader to The Wildlife Professional. The chapter covers the growth of the wildlife discipline, job options (or lack thereof), employment types, and code of conduct. Emphasizing the individual as a professional, leads to the larger topic of human dimensions, covered in Chapter 4, which provides an in-depth look at an ever-growing field of study within wildlife. As human populations continue to grow and values, beliefs, and attitudes evolve, human dimensions in wildlife management will continue to grow in importance when making wildlife management decisions. Given these changes, decisions will need to be made, so Chapter 5 introduces readers, especially students and young professionals, to structured decision making. Structured decision making, as a formal process, incorporates the science of wildlife and their habitats with the social science of humans to make decisions on wildlife management while balancing the trust and acceptance of the stakeholders involved. The bulk (Chapters 6–15) of Wildlife Management and Conservation relates to biological principles and practices. These chapters remain intact from the first edition but are updated with new information. Chapter 6 introduces the principle of scale in wildlife, different meanings of scale, and options for dealing with scale issues. Wildlife Population Dynamics (Chapter 7) establishes a foundation for readers about wildlife populations and the factors affecting them; this single chapter provides a comprehensive overview of population dynamics. Chapter 8 covers common wildlife diseases and how these diseases factor into wildlife management. Chapter 9 discusses hunting and trapping, and the role sportsmen play in conservation and science. It also covers the funding mechanism of the North American Model and how hunters and trappers play a key role. Chapter 10 introduces readers to the effects that weather and accidents can have on wildlife populations. Chapter 11 deviates from earlier chapters that dealt with populations and their management to focus on nutritional ecology. The chapter covers factors that affect nutritional ecology such as body condition, food intake, and nutrient requirements; all of which can influence population size and ecosystem dynamics. Chapter 12 covers plant–animal interactions, a new addition to the second edition. This chapter delves into interactions between plants and animals (e.g., plant defenses, facilitative interactions, and co-evolution) and how plants can affect ecosystem processes. Continuing with the theme of nutrition and plants, Chapter 13 provides an introduction into how water, cover, and other factors influence wildlife and their management. Chapter 14 discusses predator–prey relationships, how wildlife professionals have managed predators in the past, and how those management decisions are changing. Given the nature of this topic, the chapter may have been better placed after Wildlife Population Dynamics. Animal Behavior (Chapter 15) delves into the behaviors of animals at the population and individual levels. These behaviors include mating systems, sexual segregation, dispersal, and migration. Chapters 16–18 focus on habitat, wildlife restoration, and climate change, respectively. Chapter 16 defines habitat, an often-misused term, and covers the habitat selection process, habitat quality, habitat management, and design considerations for studies on habitat. Chapter 17 introduces the reader to wildlife restoration approaches and considerations. Climate change is the focus of Chapter 18, addressing global issues and challenges, especially as it relates to wildlife (e.g., populations, habitat, and range distribution). Chapters 19 and 20 cover conservation planning and managing populations and provide a nice closure to the book by showing how the concepts highlighted throughout the book are necessary to manage wildlife as a whole. In Chapter 19, readers are provided with an introduction into conservation planning and the tools needed to develop management plans. Chapter 20 uses case studies to show how to manage wildlife populations whether the goal is to increase, sustain, or reduce the population. Wildlife Management and Conservation is a fantastic update to its predecessor and continues to provide readers with a great introduction and overview of wildlife management and the wildlife profession. Throughout, stories of key figures in the history of the profession are provided, which gives students and other readers a personal connection to the work of wildlife management. While serving as an introductory book on wildlife management, the use of case studies and in-depth research are useful tools for teaching concepts. With the addition of a glossary, the book has fulfilled its goal of being a stand-alone text for introductory students. The only shortfall of the book may be that it lacks details of wildlife conservation models that exist globally, but it is clear that the book was tailored to wildlife professionals in the United States. Despite this minor suggestion, Wildlife Management and Conservation is an excellent textbook for undergraduate students and a great resource for any wildlife professional or library. The author declares no conflicts of interest.