conservation & phylogenetics

[Jack Sullivan]

Hi folks - A few observations on the conservation/phylogeny debate. I think
points of disagreement stem from a single factor: there are two distinct
disciplines here. The first is conservation biology, the science. The
second is implementation of conservation strategies. I think there are too
few of us involved in the science of conservation biology who actually do
much about inmplementing the reslts of our research (apologies to those who
have - I'm chastising myself here). I think those of us working in one of
the diciplines need to understand the pressure facing those in the other.
For example we, in an academic environment, actually get little tangible
benefit in terms of promotion and tenure decisions from much other than
getting grants, getting pubs, and (for some) teaching well. There's just
not much incentive to get active in organizations like the Conservancy. A
poor excuse, but let's face it - we publish our results and move on. Those
in application of conservation strategies have to deal with politics,
public opinion, and the Corporate bottom line (please add those I've left
out). Totally different pressures. We need to bridge the gap between the
science of conservation biology and the implementation of conservation
strategies, and we need to pressure our administrations to credit us for
those efforts.

As far as the science goes, we also get too wrapped up in promoting our own
brand of conservation biology. Phylogenetics has an important role - one
that has not been mentioned is comparative phylogeography (here I go).
Regions that tend to

--
Jack Sullivan
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho 83844-3051                 e-mail:sullivan at onyx.si.edu
phone:(208) 885-9049                     fax: 208-885-7905