References An Agenda For The Future Brook Milligan Department of Biology New Mexico State University Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003 brook@nmsu.edu Fall 2009 Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References What is Conservation Biology? New science meeting a challenge biodiversity is seriously threatened on a global scale biodiversity is important to human welfare major threats are human induced solutions must be human mediated Goals document the full range of global biodiversity investigate human impact develop practical approaches to prevent extinction maintain genetic variation protect and restore communities and ecosytems Crisis discipline Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Problems Conservation Biologists Face Limited manpower problem: protecting biological diversity is difficult when most species are unknown and most communities are not monitored solution: increased training programs Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Problems Conservation Biologists Face Limited manpower Global scale problem: many conservation issues are global in scope and require the interaction of many countries solution: increased international discussions, multi-country parks/preserves Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Problems Conservation Biologists Face Limited manpower Global scale Tension: protection versus resource development problem: developing countries often want to protect their biodiversity but are under pressure to develop their natural resources solution: reduce the tension by technical/financial support, debt forgiveness, improvement of human quality of life Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Problems Conservation Biologists Face Limited manpower Global scale Tension: protection versus resource development Undervalued ecosystem services problem: ecosystem services are often not assigned an economic value solution: integrate value of ecosystem services into mainstream economy; end subsidies for environmental degradation Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Problems Conservation Biologists Face Limited manpower Global scale Tension: protection versus resource development Undervalued ecosystem services Transfer of blame problem: poor people are often blamed for biodiversity destruction solution: change government policies to increase quality of life; create sustainable lifestyles Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Problems Conservation Biologists Face Limited manpower Global scale Tension: protection versus resource development Undervalued ecosystem services Transfer of blame Disenfranchised locals problem: decisions about land conservation are often made by central governments without buy-in from local populations solution: engage locals in discussions, planning, etc. Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Problems Conservation Biologists Face Limited manpower Global scale Tension: protection versus resource development Undervalued ecosystem services Transfer of blame Disenfranchised locals Few local benefits problem: economic benefits from national parks and protected areas often do not acrue to local communities solution: train local people; invest in local communities Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Problems Conservation Biologists Face Limited manpower Global scale Tension: protection versus resource development Undervalued ecosystem services Transfer of blame Disenfranchised locals Few local benefits Inadequate budgets problem: national parks and reserves often have inadequate budgets for conservation activities solution: raise fees, outside investment Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Problems Conservation Biologists Face Limited manpower Global scale Tension: protection versus resource development Undervalued ecosystem services Transfer of blame Disenfranchised locals Few local benefits Inadequate budgets Importance of private landowners / leaseholders problem: many endangered species occur on private land or on public land managed for resource development reduce economic benefit of overexploitation; make leases dependent on sustainability Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Problems Conservation Biologists Face Limited manpower Global scale Tension: protection versus resource development Undervalued ecosystem services Transfer of blame Disenfranchised locals Few local benefits Inadequate budgets Importance of private landowners / leaseholders Bureaucracy problem: government bureaucracy slows effective protection of biological communities solution: encourage publicly and financially NGOs, which are often more responsive than governments Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Problems Conservation Biologists Face Limited manpower Global scale Tension: protection versus resource development Undervalued ecosystem services Transfer of blame Disenfranchised locals Few local benefits Inadequate budgets Importance of private landowners / leaseholders Bureaucracy Lack of interest problem: many businesses, banks, and governments are unresponsive to conservation issues solution: provide more information to increase interest Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Challenges For Conservation Biologists Policy and economics transfer increasing public awareness of conservation issues into policy decisions and economic markets Reduce tension between need for preservation and the subsistence needs of local people Improve equity in distribution of resources and quality of life Develop management strategies for the 85% of land outside of reserves Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Role Of Conservation Biologists Scientific research: foundational information Education: in public forum as well as in classroom Political activity: join conservation organizations, influence public policy Translational science: intermediary between science and policy/management/public debate Organizers of conservation activities to stimulate interest in others Motivators: convince a range of people to become involved in conservation projects Managers and practitioners of conservation projects Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Primary Questions Biodiversity: what is it, where is it, and why is it important? Why is biodiversity loss a concern? What are the current trends and drivers of biodiversity loss? What is the future for biodiversity and ecosystem services under plausible scenarios? What response options can conserve biodiversity and promote human well-being? What are the prospects for reducing the rate of loss of biodiversity by 2010 or beyond and what are the implications for the Convention on Biological Diversity? Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Outcomes of Future Scenarios Order from strength Protection through boundaries Global orchestration Global economic and social policies Adapting mosaic Environmentally proactive local and regional managment TechnoGarden Technology providing or improving ecosystem services Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
References Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. 2005. Ecosystems and human well-being: Biodiversity synthesis. Technical report, World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C. Brook Milligan An Agenda For The Future
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