Role of Research And Technology For Biodiversity Conservation

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2013, Terence Hay-Edie and Bilgi Bulus, GEF Small Grants Programme, Dominique Bikaba, Strong Roots,   "The Youth Guide to Biodiversity" 1st Edition (Chapter 10) Youth and United Nations Global Alliance. Reproduced with permission.

Chapter 10. Verbatim.

Researchers such as biologists, ecologists and social scientists play various roles in conservation. They identify species and their habitats, they locate areas of high ecological value, they pinpoint threats, and they propose innovative strategies and solutions. Researchers use various methods such as field surveys, observations and experiments, and technologies including remote sensing devices, data analyses, software and laboratory tests.

Research results are very important for biodiversity conservation. They can be woven into community development programmes. In fact, local communities can be important contributors to biodiversity conservation research, and should be involved in all steps of the research and conservation processes. Research results are also used by conservation and development activists, journalists, government decision-makers and even businesses.

The creation and application of technologies are also benefits of biodiversity conservation research. Technologies are invented, selected, evaluated, tested and applied to solve specific problems. Technologies can be transferred from rich countries to poor countries and vice versa; this process can be essential to community development.

Before using any  technology, however, it’s critical to have a clear understanding of its characteristics so that the intervention does not harm local livelihoods, traditions, cultures or the environment.

The box: “Technological and Management Considerations for Conservation in Developing Countries” presents some of the considerations for technologies and management plans for developing countries.