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REVIEW: The evolving linkage between conservation science and practice at The Nature Conservancy
Peter Kareiva1, Craig Groves2, Michelle Marvier3
1The Nature Conservancy 4722 Latona Avenue NE, Seattle, WA, 91805, USA.
The Journal of Applied Ecology
|February 3, 2015
Summary
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) integrates scientific advances into its global conservation strategies. This evolution drives the organization to seek new scientific understanding for maximizing conservation effectiveness worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Science
- Ecological Theory
- Environmental Management
Background:
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) began as a US land trust focused on scientific study.
- It has grown into the world's largest conservation NGO, operating in 35 countries.
- TNC has consistently adopted and produced scientific advancements to inform its conservation practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the evolution of scientific approaches used by TNC.
- To illustrate how TNC's conservation practice influences the science it seeks.
- To highlight TNC's role in advancing conservation science and effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- Systematic conservation planning using species distribution data.
- Landscape-scale conservation projects informed by landscape ecology.
- Multiobjective planning integrating biodiversity with economic and resource needs.
Main Results:
- TNC pioneered systematic conservation targeting and evolved to landscape-scale and multiobjective planning.
- The organization increasingly considers ecosystem services and human risks.
- TNC now incorporates social sciences and economics, though understanding ecological thresholds remains a challenge.
Conclusions:
- Scientific advances have consistently guided TNC's conservation actions and strategies.
- TNC's practical conservation work shapes the scientific research it pursues.
- This reciprocal relationship enhances TNC's overall conservation effectiveness.
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