What Should Conservation Biologists Be Doing Scientifically, Politically, and Personally?
Conservation biologists are doing critical work for humanity. Nonetheless, I am convinced that some shifts in their activities would be extremely beneficial both for civilization and for them and their families. Scientifically I believe they should move more of their focus from species preservation to countering the accelerating extirpation of populations. After all, populations are what supply humanity with critical ecosystem services, and their conservation is also key to stopping the inexorable erosion of species diversity. Working to save the diversity of populations will confront conservation biologists with many more human-diversity conflicts, which means conservation biologists will need to increase their sensitivity to human needs, and their knowledge of socio-political-economic systems. Conservation biology is thus one of the most challenging of academic disciplines.
Thursday, April 26, 2018 1:30 PM EDT - 2:30 PM EDT
Space is limited. REGISTER NOW!
If you are unable to attend the webinar, a recording will be available on the National Conservation Training Center's webinar gallery shortly after the webinar.
Paul Ehrlich is Bing Professor of Population Studies Emeritus and President, Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University. He has carried out field, laboratory and theoretical research on the dynamics and genetics of insect populations, the evolutionary interactions of plants and herbivores, the behavioral ecology of birds and reef fishes, the effects of crowding on human beings, human cultural evolution, and health problems related to industrialization.
