Finding Solutions to 21st Century Conservation Problems (3)

I have not been blogging much recently.  Sorry about that - the cold weather has slowed me down.

But, I was stirred to return to the keyboard having spent 24 hours at the RSPB's Annual Science Meeting.  It was, as ever, inspiring to hear about the breadth of our work geared to finding solutions to 21st century conservation problems.

Here are four highlights...

...celebrating the achievement of Professor Rhys Green who was recently accredited as being one of the most influential scientists in his field in the world. Rhys, who is Principle Research Biologist at the RSPB and Professor of Conservation Science at the University of Cambridge, now appears on the Thomson Reuters list of most cited researchers (see here).  Anyway who knows Rhys will agree that he fits easily into the top 1% of research scientists.  Rhys has, over the past 30 years, had a hand in many of the RSPB's big conservation success stories from corncrakes to Asian vultures.  His research can be game-changing, for example through his collaboration with Durham University et al over the production of the Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds (here).  And he continues to have a major influence in global conservation decision-making for example by producing a joint statement with other scientists about the wildlife and human health impacts from the use of lead ammunition in Europe (here).  This statement inevitably had a major impact on the decision made at the recent international negotiations to phase out lead in ammunition (here).  If implemented by countries like the UK, this will help remove one of the many threats facing our migratory species.  We rightly celebrated Rhys' contribution to conservation science with a splendid cake.

...gaining an insight into the breadth of the work we are doing to save fantastic wildlife in Gola Forest in Sierra Leone (here).  Because of the Ebola crisis, much of this work is currently on hold, but it was great to hear about our ambitions to sustainable land management by forest edge communities and the establishment of a monitoring programme involving local communities.   Once the Ebola crisis relents, I have no doubt that we can secure a sustainable future for this incredibly  important forest and that the team get to see the elusive pigmy hippo soon.

...prioritising islands in the UK and our Overseas Territories for the eradication of invasive non-native vertebrates (see here).  Island introductions - such as cats, rats and mice - can cause havoc, threatening extinction of species.  So, despite the complexity, risk and cost of mounting expeditions to eradicate these invasive species, we remain prepared to take the necessary action.  We have had success - enabling the recovery of species like Manx sheerwater on Lundy or  removing feral cats from Ascension Island to benefit species like the Ascension Frigatebird (here) - but we have also experienced failure - rats remain on Henderson Island (here) despite our best efforts.  But, we learn from these experiences and are undeterred from embarking on new challenges. This new research will help us work out where we can have the biggest impact to save nature on islands close to home and our Overseas Territories.  

...getting a sneak preview of new research projects as well as hearing results from existing projects that are nearing publication.   Given our track-record in influencing change through conservation science, I expect many of these will have a big impact when published - but alas they will remain confidential for now!  You'll just have to be patient.

If you would like to find more about our science, please do visit the Centre for Conservation Science website here or follow the team on twitter here @RSPBScience.