If you want to appeal to a broad spectrum of the U.S. public, any phrase
with "diversity" in it has been poisoned by wingnuts. It raises the
haunting spectre of being forced to rub shoulders with people of undesirable
race, ethnicity, sexual preference, social standing, state of health, funny
accents, wrap-around headgear, etc. In short, it hints darkly about people
different from one's self, and therefore to be shunned. How about "species
richness," and in contrast, "species poverty." No one actually comes out in
favor of poverty (unless it's for those one should be shunning).
Martin M. Meiss
2010/12/13 Ritchie, Euan <[email protected]>
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have just returned from the Ecological Society of Australia meeting and
> among other issues, there was much discussion about the term biodiversity.
> Many people argue that this term is hard to define, and importantly, the
> public have no idea what it actually means and therefore they have less
> connection/concern to preserve/conserve species and habitats. I thought it
> would be interesting to hear how others define biodiversity, and if this
> term isn't helpful for conveying the importance of species diversity to the
> public, what term(s) should we use?
>
> Over to you,
>
> Euan
>
>
> Dr. Euan G. Ritchie, Lecturer in Ecology, School of Life and Environmental
> Sciences
> Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia.
> Building T, Room T3.09.3
> Phone: 03 9251 7606 International: +61 3 9251 7606
> Mobile: 041 888 2992
> Fax: 03 9251 7626 International: +61 3 9251 7626
> Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
> Skype: euanritchie
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