- with apologies for cross postings - Hi list,
As researchers in ecology, we strive that our results are published in the best journals, but we also wish that they can be useful in advancing biodiversity conservation. With many governments stressing their strong commitment to science-based environmental policies, we could hope to successfully reverse the biodiversity crisis. Still, it does not seem to be happening (e.g. Butchart, et al. Science 328, 1164; 2010). In fact, we often observe that pure political considerations prevail over anything else. Are we unable to reach governments or are governments just not listening? To find out, I'm compiling a list of 100 illustrative science-based conservation actions to act against biodiversity loss in G20 countries. This initiative is supported by the newspaper The Guardian and we will present this list to governments and ask them to sign up to them for the next Convention on Biological Diversity summit this October. More details on: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot/2010/aug/13/biodiversity-100-tasks-campaign and also: http://blogs.nature.com/soapbox_science/2010/09/10/biodiversity-from-conservation-science-to-action I'm looking for actions that are (1) major contribution to the safeguard of a particular endangered species or ecosystem, (2) unequivocally and widely supported by peer-reviewed scientific evidence, (3) politically costly to implement or opposed by some interest groups. These actions should be 'smart' i.e. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely and should not be vague platitudes like “more money” or “better law enforcement” and the like! Typical examples would include specific issues like reintroduce individuals to achieve minimum viable population size, halt or modify a development threatening a critical ecosystem or more general issues like ban chemicals threatening biodiversity or modify a particular law that has loophole permitting environment destruction. Have you published papers (or know of some particular ones) that should have had influential consequences on biodiversity or wildlife related policies but had not due to political blockade? Can you or your colleagues participate in selecting the best set of actions? Please contact me directly at [email protected] and feel free to forward this email to other people who may help. Thanks! Guillaume -- Guillaume Chapron, PhD Assistant Professor Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE - 73091 Riddarhyttan, Sweden
