Search Results

Apr

25

2007
 
 

Umbrellas, icons and keystones



Different research approaches must work together for conservation to succeed Panda pretending to be a leadbeater's possumConcentrating conservation effort on understanding a single species doesn’t guarantee a successful outcome, but neither does more general, ecosystem-level research. Instead, say the authors of a paper published in Oikos, a combined, complementary approach is needed. The group of scientists, spearheaded by David Lindenmeyer at the Australian National University, describe several attempts to save species – such as Leadbeater’s possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri – where research focused on both the target species and its encompassing habitat worked side by side to good effect. It sounds obvious maybe, but this approach could be the best way to target those species that can actually be saved from extinction, rather than those that cannot. Source: Lindenmeyer DB, Fischer J, Felton A, Montague-Drake R, Manning AD, Simberloff D, Youngentob K, Saunders D, Wilson D, Felton AM, Blackmore C, Lowe A, Bond S, Munro N & Elliott CP (2007) The complementarity of single-species and ecosystem-oriented research in conservation research. Oikos DOI: 10.1111/j.2007.0030-1299.15683.x Related stories in Conservation magazine: The Biodiversity Knowledge Commons | Designing Marine Reserve Networks | Evidence-Based Conservation Image © Paul Erickson

Filed Under Endangered species, Habitat, Restoration | Leave a Comment

Email This Post Email This Post