Subjective modeling choices and the robustness of impact evaluations in conservation science

This book gathers together 28 personal stories told by leading thinkers and practitioners in conservation – all of whom have something to say about the uncomfortable tension that arises when data meet dogma. Together, they make a powerful argument for conservation science that measures effectiveness and evolves in response to new data, rather than clinging to its treasured foundational ideas. Several chapters raise doubts about some of conservation’s core tenets, including the notion that habitat fragmentation is bad for biodiversity, biodiversity declines are threatening ecosystem function, non-native species are a net negative for conservation, and fisheries management is failing. Another set of chapters warns of the potent power of conservation narratives: undeniably useful to inspire conservation action, but potentially dangerous in locking in thinking against contrary data. These chapters challenge iconic stories about GM crops, orangutans in oil palm forests, frog feminization, salmon versus dams, rehabilitating oiled otters, and wolves in Yellowstone. A final set of chapters addresses conceptual and methodological approaches such as environmental tipping points, global assessments, payment for ecosystem service programs, and working with corporations. Throughout, examples of confirmation bias emerge—not as dishonesty, but as a human foible that is a challenge for all science, not just conservation science. Graduate students, in particular, will find a wealth of ideas to inspire their own research. Each chapter points to additional data that could help resolve lingering debates and improve conservation effectiveness.

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The Smart Forest Conundrum: Contextualizing Pitfalls of Sensors and AI in Conservation Science for Tropical Forests

Tropical Conservation Science ◽

10.1177/19400829211014740 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 194008292110147

Author(s):

Dipto Sarkar ◽

Colin A. Chapman

Keyword(s):

Tropical Forests ◽

National Park ◽

Critical Discussion ◽

Research Field ◽

Kibale National Park ◽

Conservation Science ◽

Field Station ◽

Data Production ◽

Global Corporations ◽

The One

The term ‘smart forest’ is not yet common, but the proliferation of sensors, algorithms, and technocentric thinking in conservation, as in most other aspects of our lives, suggests we are at the brink of this evolution. While there has been some critical discussion about the value of using smart technology in conservation, a holistic discussion about the broader technological, social, and economic interactions involved with using big data, sensors, artificial intelligence, and global corporations is largely missing. Here, we explore the pitfalls that are useful to consider as forests are gradually converted to technological sites of data production for optimized biodiversity conservation and are consequently incorporated in the digital economy. We consider who are the enablers of the technologically enhanced forests and how the gradual operationalization of smart forests will impact the traditional stakeholders of conservation. We also look at the implications of carpeting forests with sensors and the type of questions that will be encouraged. To contextualize our arguments, we provide examples from our work in Kibale National Park, Uganda which hosts the one of the longest continuously running research field station in Africa.

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Researcher perspectives on challenges and opportunities in conservation physiology revealed from an online survey

Conservation Physiology ◽

10.1093/conphys/coab030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christine L Madliger ◽

Oliver P Love ◽

Vivian M Nguyen ◽

Neal R Haddaway ◽

Steven J Cooke

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Stakeholder Involvement ◽

Reference Ranges ◽

Conservation Science ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Conservation Action ◽

Conservation Physiology ◽

Biodiversity Crisis ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Multi Stakeholder

Abstract Conservation physiology represents a recently emerging arm of conservation science that applies physiological tools and techniques to understand and solve conservation issues. While a multi-disciplinary toolbox can only help to address the global biodiversity crisis, any field can face challenges while becoming established, particularly highly applied disciplines that require multi-stakeholder involvement. Gaining first-hand knowledge of the challenges that conservation physiologists are facing can help characterize the current state of the field and build a better foundation for determining how it can grow. Through an online survey of 468 scientists working at the intersection of physiology and conservation, we aimed to identify characteristics of those engaging in conservation physiology research (e.g. demographics, primary taxa of study), gauge conservation physiology’s role in contributing to on-the-ground conservation action, identify the perceived barriers to achieving success and determine how difficult any identified barriers are to overcome. Despite all participants having experience combining physiology and conservation, only one-third considered themselves to be ‘conservation physiologists’. Moreover, there was a general perception that conservation physiology does not yet regularly lead to tangible conservation success. Respondents identified the recent conceptualization of the field and the broader issue of adequately translating science into management action as the primary reasons for these deficits. Other significant barriers that respondents have faced when integrating physiology and conservation science included a lack of funding, logistical constraints (e.g. sample sizes, obtaining permits) and a lack of physiological baseline data (i.e. reference ranges of a physiological metric’s ‘normal’ or pre-environmental change levels). We identified 12 actions based on suggestions of survey participants that we anticipate will help deconstruct the barriers and continue to develop a narrative of physiology that is relevant to conservation science, policy and practice.

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Infrastructural nature

Progress in Human Geography ◽

10.1177/0309132521993916 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 030913252199391

Author(s):

Sara H Nelson ◽

Patrick Bigger

Keyword(s):

Political Economy ◽

Ecosystem Services ◽

Strategic Management ◽

Ecosystem Management ◽

Human Life ◽

Ecosystem Functions ◽

Future Research ◽

The Political ◽

Conservation Science ◽

Conservation Investment

The assertion that ‘ecosystems are infrastructure’ is now common in conservation science and ecosystem management. This article interrogates this infrastructural ontology, which we argue underpins diverse practices of conservation investment and ecosystem management focused on the strategic management of ecosystem functions to sustain and secure human life. We trace the genealogies and geographies of infrastructural nature as an ontology and paradigm of investment that coexists (sometimes in tension) with extractivist commodity regimes. We draw links between literatures on the political economy of ecosystem services and infrastructure and highlight three themes that hold promise for future research: labor, territory, and finance.

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How to address data privacy concerns when using social media data in conservation science

Conservation Biology ◽

10.1111/cobi.13708 ◽

2021 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Enrico Di Minin ◽

Christoph Fink ◽

Anna Hausmann ◽

Jens Kremer ◽

Ritwik Kulkarni

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Data Privacy ◽

Conservation Science ◽

Social Media Data ◽

Privacy Concerns ◽

Address Data ◽

Media Data

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Discoloration of Historical Plastic Objects: New Insight into the Degradation of β-Naphthol Pigment Lakes

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13142278 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 2278

Author(s):

Anna Micheluz ◽

Eva Mariasole Angelin ◽

João Almeida Lopes ◽

Maria João Melo ◽

Marisa Pamplona

Keyword(s):

Light Exposure ◽

Molecular Structures ◽

Conservation Science ◽

Organic Pigment ◽

Organic Pigments ◽

Before And After ◽

The Individual ◽

Determining Factor ◽

Insight Into ◽

Historical Samples

Light is a determining factor in the discoloration of plastics, and photodegradation processes can affect the molecular structures of both the polymer and colorants. Limited studies focused on the discoloration of heritage plastics in conservation science. This work investigated the discoloration of red historical polyethylene (PE) objects colored with PR 48:2 and PR 53:1. High-density and low-density PE reference polymers, neat pigment powders, and historical samples were assessed before and after accelerated photoaging. The applied methodology provided insight into the individual light-susceptibility of polyethylenes, organic pigment lakes, and their combined effect in the photoaging of historical plastic formulations. After light exposure, both PE references and historical samples yellowed, PR53:1 faded, and PR 48:2 darkened; however, both organic pigments faded severely in the historical samples. This highlights the role played by the plastic binder likely facilitating the pigment photofading. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry techniques—EGA-MS, PY-GC/MS, and TD-GC/MS—were successfully employed for characterizing the plastic formulations and degradation. The identification of phthalic compounds in both aged β-naphthol powders opens new venues for studies on their degradation. This work’s approach and analytical methods in studying the discoloration of historical plastics are novel, proving their efficacy, reliability, and potentiality.

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