Berger Joel, Cain Steven L
Organismal Biology and Ecology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, U.S.A.; North America Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bozeman, MT 59715, U.S.A.
Conserv Biol. 2014 Oct;28(5):1142-50. doi: 10.1111/cobi.12327. Epub 2014 Jun 24.
As the discipline of conservation biology evolves and practitioners grow increasingly concerned about how to put results into achievable conservation, it is still unclear the extent to which science drives conservation outcomes, especially across rural landscapes. We addressed this issue by examining the role of science in the protection of a biological corridor. Our focus is on a North American endemic mammal reliant on long distance migration as an adaptive strategy, the pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) of the southern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The role of science in realizing policy change, while critical as a first step, was surprisingly small relative to the role of other human dimensions. In a case study, we strategically addressed a variety of conservation needs beyond science, first by building a partnership between government and private interests and then by enhancing interest in migratory phenomena across a landscape with divergent political ideologies and economic bases. By developing awareness and even people's pride in the concept of corridor conservation, we achieved local, state, and federal acceptance for protection of a 70 km long, 2 km wide pathway for the longest terrestrial migrant in the contiguous United States. Key steps included conducting and publishing research that defined the migration corridor; fostering a variety of media coverage at local, regional, and national levels; conducting public outreach through stakeholder workshops, meetings, and presentations; and meeting with and gaining the support of elected officials. All these contributed to the eventual policy change that created the first federally protected migration corridor in the United States, which in turn stimulated additional conservation actions. On the basis of our experience, we believe conservation scientists can and should step beyond traditional research roles to assist with on-the-ground conservation by engaging in aspects of conservation that involve local communities and public policy.
随着保护生物学学科的发展，从业者越来越关注如何将研究成果转化为切实可行的保护措施，但目前仍不清楚科学在多大程度上推动了保护成果，尤其是在农村景观地区。我们通过研究科学在保护一条生物走廊中的作用来解决这个问题。我们关注的是一种依赖长距离迁徙作为适应策略的北美特有哺乳动物——大黄石生态系统南部的叉角羚（Antilocapra americana）。科学在实现政策变革方面的作用虽然作为第一步至关重要，但相对于其他人类因素的作用而言却出人意料地小。在一个案例研究中，我们战略性地解决了科学之外的各种保护需求，首先是在政府和私人利益之间建立伙伴关系，然后是在具有不同政治意识形态和经济基础的地区增强对迁徙现象的关注。通过提高人们对走廊保护概念的认识甚至自豪感，我们在地方、州和联邦层面获得了对保护一条长70公里、宽2公里的通道的认可，这条通道是美国本土最长陆地迁徙动物的通道。关键步骤包括开展并发表界定迁徙走廊的研究；在地方、区域和国家层面进行各种媒体报道；通过利益相关者研讨会、会议和演讲进行公众宣传；以及与当选官员会面并获得他们的支持。所有这些都促成了最终的政策变革，创建了美国第一个联邦保护的迁徙走廊，这反过来又刺激了更多的保护行动。基于我们的经验，我们相信保护科学家能够而且应该超越传统的研究角色，通过参与涉及当地社区和公共政策的保护工作来协助实地保护。
