Biodiversity Conservation
Accelerating rates of environmental change have resulted in unprecedented rates of biodiversity loss globally. A recent paper by colleagues at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology showed approximately 3 billion birds - including many common bird species! - have been lost across North America since 1970.
Unfortunately, there are a limited number of opportunities to create or expand protected areas in order to combat these stifling rates of biodiversity loss. An alternative approach is the development of sustainable, multifunctional landscapes that balance biodiversity conservation with the socio-economic pressures of a growing human population. A pressing need in conservation practice, therefore, is the development of cost-effective and reliable tools to monitor progress, design improvements and compare impacts of sustainability initiatives across spatiotemporal scales. |
Graphic from Rosenberg et al. 2019, published in the peer-reviewed journal Science. See 3billionbirds.org for more info on this and how we can work together to #BringBirdsBack.
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I use eBird and other sources of observational data to learn about the spatial and temporal patterns of avian biodiversity to then:
Ultimately we hope to use the best available science to inform on-the-ground efforts and prevent further species loss or, if at all possible, reverse population declines. For more specific information about the work we are doing, email me at [email protected]!
- Evaluate the impact of current conservation programs, such as protected area networks, payment for ecosystem services schemes, and sustainability incentives in agroecosystems;
- Partner with local practitioners, agencies and stakeholders to guide conservation decision-making and investment priorities; and
- Measure progress toward achieving conservation and sustainability targets.
Ultimately we hope to use the best available science to inform on-the-ground efforts and prevent further species loss or, if at all possible, reverse population declines. For more specific information about the work we are doing, email me at [email protected]!