Conservation Research, Policy and Practice

Conservation research is essential for advancing knowledge, but to make an impact, scientific evidence must influence conservation policies, decision-making and practice. This raises a multitude of challenges. How should evidence be collated and presented to policy-makers to maximise its impact? How can effective collaboration between conservation scientists and decision-makers be established? How can the resulting messages be communicated to bring about change?

Emerging from a successful international symposium organised by the British Ecological Society and the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, this is the first book to practically address these questions across a wide range of conservation topics. Well-renowned experts guide readers through global case studies and their own experiences.

This is a must-read for practitioners, researchers, graduate students and policy-makers wishing to enhance the prospect of their work ‘making a difference’. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

William J. Sutherland is Miriam Rothschild Chair in Conservation Biology, University of Cambridge, UK. He is an Honorary Member and previous President of the British Ecological Society. He is involved in horizon-scanning, agenda-setting and improving practice.

Peter N. M. Brotherton is a Director at Natural England, the official nature conservation agency for England. He has a particular interest in the interface between conservation science, policy and practice. He was lead advisor to the UK government on the England Biodiversity Strategy (2011) and co-authored the influential ‘Making Space for Nature’ report.

Zoe G. Davies is Professor of Biodiversity Conservation, University of Kent, UK. She has worked on applied projects in the UK, across Europe, Chile, Guyana, Kenya, Madagascar, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Her research involves integrating natural and social science disciplines to answer important questions regarding how we should conserve the natural environment.

Nancy Ockendon is the Science Coordinator of the Endangered Landscapes Programme, Cambridge Conservation Initiative, UK, where she aims to ensure the more effective use and generation of scientific evidence in conservation projects. She is also interested in improving communication between scientists, practitioners and policy-makers.

Nathalie Pettorelli is Senior Research Fellow, Zoological Society of London, UK. She has published four books and over 150 articles on the topic of biodiversity monitoring and wildlife management. She is a senior editor for Journal of Applied Ecology, the UK representative to GEO Programme Board, and a member of the British Ecological Society Policy Committee.

Juliet A. Vickery is Head of International Research, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Bedfordshire, UK. She is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Conservation Science Group, University of Cambridge; Chair of the Policy Committee of the British Ecological Society; and President of the British Ornithologists’ Union.