Our world is far richer than previously conceived, yet so ravaged by human activity that half its species could be gone by the end of the 21st century. These two contrasting themes - unexpected magnificence and underestimated peril - have originated since the 1980s. In this book, scientist E.O. Wilson describes exactly what treasures of the natural world we are about to lose forever and what we can do right now to save them. Destruction of natural habitats, the rampant spread of invasive species, pollution, uncontrolled population growth and overharvesting are the main threats to our natural world. Wilson explains how each of these elements works to undo the web of life that supports us, and why it is in our best interests to stop it. The book is both a moving description of the world's astonishing animals and plants, and a guidebook for the protection of all its species, including our own.

爱德华·威尔逊（ Edward O. Wilson ）

☆ 最具文采的科学家

☆ 最博学多识的作家

☆“最后的博物学家”

生于1929 年，当今美国生物学界的翘楚，美国国家科学院院士，世界上最有影响力的科学家之一。“生物社会学”之父，“生物多样性”概念提出者。目前是哈佛大学比较动物学博物馆昆虫馆的名誉馆长兼荣誉研究教授。

先后获得100 多个国际性奖项，包括美国的国家科学奖、瑞典皇家科学院颁发的克拉福德奖、日本的国际生物奖。 1996 年，被《时代》杂志评为对当代美国影响最大的 25 位美国人之一。他热心投身环保事业，曾获世界自然基金会颁发的金质奖章、美国奥杜邦学会颁发的奥杜邦奖章等。

威尔逊非常擅长著述，文笔优美，有 30 余部著作，先后以《论人性》和《蚂蚁》两度获得普利策奖。