Our continued existence depends on ecological systems and biological diversity. Ecologists and economists alike recognize that the loss of biodiversity is one of the most serious problems the world faces, yet their narrow and conventional approaches often fail to grasp the implications of the problem. New interdisciplinary thinking is required to safeguard both us and the biosphere from the effects of species extinction. This book, the outcome of a unique collaboration between economists and ecologists initiated by the Beijer Institute of the Royal Swedish Academy of the Sciences, shows how an integrated approach can understand and tackle this issues. Stimulating and clearly written, "Paradise Lost?" provides a comprehensive account for those academically or professionally involved,