Making predictive ecology more relevant to policy makers and practitioners |
| |
Authors: | Sutherland William J Freckleton Robert P |
| |
Institution: | Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK. wjs32@hermes.cam.ac.uk |
| |
Abstract: | One of the aims of ecology is to aid policy makers and practitioners through the development of testable predictions of relevance to society. Here, we argue that this capacity can be improved in three ways. Firstly, by thinking more clearly about the priority issues using a range of methods including horizon scanning, identifying policy gaps, identifying priority questions and using evidence-based conservation to identify knowledge gaps. Secondly, by linking ecological models with models of other systems, such as economic and social models. Thirdly, by considering alternative approaches to generate and model data that use, for example, discrete or categorical states to model ecological systems. We particularly highlight that models are essential for making predictions. However, a key to the limitation in their use is the degree to which ecologists are able to communicate results to policy makers in a clear, useful and timely fashion. |
| |
Keywords: | evidence-based conservation horizon scanning policy practice density-structured models genetically modified organisms |
本文献已被 PubMed 等数据库收录! |
|