Experiments in consilience : integrating social and scientific responses to save endangered species

Resource Information

The work Experiments in consilience : integrating social and scientific responses to save endangered species represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Massey University Library, University of New Zealand. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

Experiments in consilience : integrating social and scientific responses to save endangered species

Title remainder

integrating social and scientific responses to save endangered species

Statement of responsibility

edited by Frances R. Westley and Philip S. Miller

Contributor

• Westley, Frances
• Miller, Philip S

Subject

• Endangered species
• Human ecology
• Wildlife conservation

Language

eng

Summary

Annotation In his 1998 book "Consilience," E.O. Wilson set forth the idea that integrating knowledge and insights from across the spectrum of human study -- the humanities, social science, and natural sciences -- is the key to solving complex environmental and social problems. "Experiments in Consilience" tells the unique story of a pathbreaking effort to apply this theoretical construct in a real-world setting. The book describes the work of the Biodiversity Research Network, a team of experts from the United States and Canada brought together to build interdisciplinary connections and stimulate an exchange of expertise. Team members sought to understand the ecology and population dynamics of key species in particular ecosystems, to understand the impact of human populations on those species and ecosystems, and to develop tools and processes for involving a greater variety of stakeholders in conservation efforts. In order to keep the experiment grounded, the network focused on a single type of conservation planning workshop run by a single organization -- the Population and Habitat Viability Assessment Workshop (PHVA) of the IUCN-sponsored Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG). The book combines sections on the theoretical underpinnings of relevant concepts in population biology, simulation modeling, and social science with detailed descriptions of six PHVA workshops conducted on different species across four continents. A concluding chapter examines the lessons learned, which have application to both theory and practice, including reflections on interdisciplinarity, integrated risk assessment, and future directions for research and action. Through the combination of theory andapplication, combined with frank discussions of what the research network learned -- including both successes and failures -- the book offers fresh ideas on how to improve on-the-ground conservation decisionmaking. "Experime

Action

digitized

Dewey number

333.95/22

Illustrations

• illustrations
• maps

Index

index present

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

• dictionaries
• bibliography