Conservation Research Is Not Happening Where It Is Most Needed

Abstract

Target 19, set by the Convention on Biological Diversity, seeks to improve the knowledge, science base, and technologies relating to biodiversity. We will fail to achieve this target unless prolific biases in the field of conservation science are addressed. We reveal that comparatively less research is undertaken in the world’s most biodiverse countries, the science conducted in these countries is often not led by researchers based in-country, and these scientists are also underrepresented in important international fora. Mitigating these biases requires wide-ranging solutions: reforming open access publishing policies, enhancing science communication strategies, changing author attribution practices, improving representation in international processes, and strengthening infrastructure and human capacity for research in countries where it is most needed.

The value of virtual conferencing for ecology and conservation

“…However, conservation science (including ecology and related disciplines) currently has an imbalance in where it is conducted, where it is needed, and how it is shared (Wilson et al 2016). Conservation conferences need to evolve to meet contemporary objectives and match the scale at which conservation research occurs.…”

“…It stands to reason that if the expenses of travel and accommodation were removed and conference registration costs were reduced (due to lower venue fees), it would be far easier for these researchers to participate in the global conservation discourse. Much of the research on biodiversity hotspots is led by researchers from other countries who are better able to afford to physically attend conferences (Meijaard et al 2015;Wilson et al 2016). …”

Tree species diversity and utilities in a contracting lowland hillside rainforest fragment in Central Vietnam

“…This has attracted attention from naturalists but also highlighted significant gaps in the knowledge and understanding of Vietnam's biological heritage and corresponding significance for conservation (Sterling and Hurley 2005;Ceballos and Ehrlich 2009;Wilson et al 2016). Notably, many discoveries were made in degraded forests which nonetheless support many potentially threatened species (Cochard et al 2017).…”

Meeting the Aichi targets: Pushing for zero extinction conservation

“…Nonetheless, according to the most recent IUCN Red List of Threatened Species more than 7978 species of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are globally threatened (IUCN 2016). Given these numbers, distinguishing which of these taxa to attend to first, and what resources to mobilize to ensure their survival, has never been so pressing (Wilson et al 2011, 2016). Despite this urgency, progress has been slow.…”