Knowing but not doing: Conservation paleobiology and the research-implementation gap

Background/Question/Methods

Conservation paleobiology aims to provide a longer-term perspective on environmental problems in order to inform conservation decisions. As such, conservation paleobiology research falls short when paleobiological data and insights are not translated into policy or practice, contributing to a “gap” between research and implementation. Our study quantified the extent of this research-implementation gap through a systematic literature review. By means of a multi-stage screening process and collaborative coding, we focused on two main criteria. First, we determined whether empirical studies held a link to conservation, management, or restoration. Second, we documented whether the paleobiological data were used to implement some form of action or if there was a specific mention of how the paleobiological data could be used in theory.

Results/Conclusions

Results indicate that conservation paleobiology has a poor record of translating research into action. Only 3% of studies documented using paleobiological data in an actionable way to promote conservation, with over 70% of these studies co-produced by authors affiliated with a conservation organization. All studies documenting action used paleobiological data from the familiar past where the species and habitats are similar to those found today. Among these action studies, most focused on ecosystems with a freshwater component (e.g., peatlands and lakes) rather than on individual or multiple species. The majority of coded studies had a theoretical application and greater than 40% of these specified how the paleobiological data could be implemented to enhance conservation, management, or restoration actions. Drawing insights from the bright spots we identified, we offer practical suggestions to narrow the gap between research and implementation in conservation paleobiology.