TitleMerging paleobiology with conservation biology to guide the future of terrestrial ecosystems.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsBarnosky AD, Hadly EA, Gonzalez P, Head J, P Polly D, A Lawing M, Eronen JT, Ackerly DD, Alex K, Biber E, Blois J, Brashares J, Ceballos G, Davis E, Dietl GP, Dirzo R, Doremus H, Fortelius M, Greene HW, Hellmann J, Hickler T, Jackson ST, Kemp M, Koch PL, Kremen C, Lindsey EL, Looy C, Marshall CR, Mendenhall C, Mulch A, Mychajliw AM, Nowak C, Ramakrishnan U, Schnitzler J, Shrestha KDas, Solari K, Stegner L, M Stegner A, Stenseth NChr, Wake MH, Zhang Z
JournalScience
Volume355
Issue6325
Date Published2017 Feb 10
ISSN1095-9203
Abstract

Conservation of species and ecosystems is increasingly difficult because anthropogenic impacts are pervasive and accelerating. Under this rapid global change, maximizing conservation success requires a paradigm shift from maintaining ecosystems in idealized past states toward facilitating their adaptive and functional capacities, even as species ebb and flow individually. Developing effective strategies under this new paradigm will require deeper understanding of the long-term dynamics that govern ecosystem persistence and reconciliation of conflicts among approaches to conserving historical versus novel ecosystems. Integrating emerging information from conservation biology, paleobiology, and the Earth sciences is an important step forward on the path to success. Maintaining nature in all its aspects will also entail immediately addressing the overarching threats of growing human population, overconsumption, pollution, and climate change.

DOI10.1126/science.aah4787
Alternate JournalScience
PubMed ID28183912