Work

Expert preferences on options for biodiversity conservation under climate change

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Climate change and other anthropogenic drivers challenge the efficacy of traditional approaches to biodiversity conservation. Moreover, the extent and pace of transformative change is projected to intensify, making ecological restoration of some ecosystems to historical baselines increasingly untenable. This new reality has sparked debates about what new approaches are needed in restoration and conservation. Strongly influencing the debate are the individual preferences of experts (e.g. ecologists, land managers and restoration practitioners), which are varied and often diverge from those of non-experts. Despite this strong influence, the role of preference on conservation decisions is underexplored. What little has been published is provocative, suggesting ecologists are indeed resistant to implementing non-traditional or ‘taboo’ management practices, even if they agree they are needed in theory. This paper presents the results of a global survey of experts (n=692) exploring in detail how experts perceive both traditional and non-traditional options in biodiversity conservation and restoration. Most experts were relatively open to the prospects of incorporating non-traditional options into conservation. However, there were some apparent tensions, including acceptance that baselines were shifting, but a reluctance to let go of historical baselines as a goal. Although participants in this study were fairly supportive of managing novel ecosystems, non-native species, and for more human-centred values in some situations, our research suggests ecologists may be more supportive of ‘cautiously aggressive’ policy particularly if the policies are associated with additional research to reduce uncertainties.

Source: Global Environmental Change

DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2023.102759

Authors: Sarah Clement, Rachel J. Standish, Patricia L. Kennedy

Institutions: Australian National University, Murdoch University, Harry Butler Institute, Oregon State University

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Philosophy and Ethics

Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,150