The complementarity of single-species and ecosystem-oriented research in conservation research
Date
2007
Authors
Fischer, Joern
Felton, Adam
Montague-Drake, Rebecca
Manning, Adrian
Simberloff, Dan
Youngentob, Kara Nicole
Saunders, Debra
Wilson, David
Felton, Annika M
Blackmore, Caroline
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Publisher
Munksgaard International Publishers
Abstract
There has been much debate about the relative merits of single-species vs ecosystem-oriented research for conservation. This debate has become increasingly important in recent times as resource managers and policy makers in some jurisdictions focus on ecosystem-level problems. We highlight the potential strengths and limitations of both kinds of research, discuss their complementarity and highlight problems that may arise where competition occurs between the two kinds of research. While a combination of approaches is ideal, a scarcity of funding, time, and expertise means it is impossible to study and manage each species, ecological process, or ecological pattern separately. Making decisions about priorities for the kinds of research, priorities for the kinds of conservation management, and associated allocation of scarce funds is a non-trivial task. We argue for an approach whereby limited resources for conservation research are targeted at projects most likely to close important knowledge gaps, while also promoting ongoing synergies between single-species and ecosystem-oriented research.
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Keywords
Keywords: competition (ecology); complementarity; conservation management; decision making; ecosystem approach; research; resource allocation; synergism
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Oikos
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Journal article
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2037-12-31
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