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Updated: Jun 1, 2025
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Published on: December 15, 2023
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An interdisciplinary approach to improving conservation outcomes for parasites
Timothy M Brown1,2, Alison M Dunn1, Rupert J Quinnell1
1School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Summary
Prioritizing parasite conservation is crucial for biodiversity and ecosystem health. An interdisciplinary approach, integrating social sciences and environmental ethics, can overcome barriers and foster broader support for protecting these vital organisms.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Parasites are vital components of biodiversity, playing key ecological roles.
- Despite their importance, parasites are undervalued in conservation efforts due to misconceptions and perceived conflicts with host conservation.
- Existing conservation strategies often overlook the unique challenges and benefits associated with parasite protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore an interdisciplinary approach to parasite conservation research.
- To identify and address barriers hindering parasite conservation, including sociocultural factors and philosophical inconsistencies.
- To promote parasite conservation for the benefit of parasites, hosts, ecosystems, and human well-being.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing literature on parasite conservation, host-parasite interactions, and conservation ethics.
- Identification of sociocultural barriers, such as public perception, economic constraints, and technical challenges.
- Examination of philosophical underpinnings of conservation, including environmental ethics and the concept of biological units.
Main Results:
- Parasite conservation faces significant barriers, including knowledge gaps on sociocultural influences and a lack of cohesive philosophical basis.
- Sociocultural factors like misconceptions about parasite risks and differing conservation values impede progress.
- Philosophical issues include unclear criteria for parasite conservation and a false antagonism between parasite and host conservation.
Conclusions:
- An interdisciplinary approach integrating social sciences and environmental ethics is essential for effective parasite conservation.
- Addressing sociocultural barriers through increased awareness and understanding of human values is critical.
- Strengthening the philosophical foundation for parasite conservation will enhance decision-making and support for protecting these organisms.
Keywords:
biodiversidad infravaloradaciencias sociales de la conservacióncoextincióncoextinctionconservación ex situconservación holobionteconservation philosophyconservation prioritizationconservation social scienceex situ conservationfilosofía de la conservaciónholobiont conservationparasitologyparasitologíapriorización de la conservaciónunderappreciated biodiversity
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