Abstract
Modern zoos and aquariums aspire to contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and research. For example, conservation research is a key accreditation criterion of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). However, no studies to date have quantified this contribution. We assessed the research productivity of 228 AZA members using scientific publications indexed in the ISI Web of Science (WoS) database between 1993 and 2013 (inclusive). AZA members published 5175 peer-reviewed manuscripts over this period, with publication output increasing over time. Most publications were in the zoology and veterinary science subject areas, and articles classified as “biodiversity conservation” by WoS averaged 7% of total publications annually. From regression analyses, AZA organizations with larger financial assets generally published more, but research-affiliated mission statements were also associated with increased publication output. A strong publication record indicates expertise and expands scientific knowledge, enhancing organizational credibility. Institutions aspiring for higher research productivity likely require a dedicated research focus and adequate institutional support through research funding and staffing. We recommend future work build on our results by exploring links between zoo and aquarium research productivity and conservation outcomes or uptake.
Highlights
We are facing a global biodiversity crisis in the Anthropocene, with escalating extinction rates and biodiversity losses (Dirzo et al 2014; Pimm et al 2014)
Our reliance on the Web of Science (WoS) inevitably excludes some publishing outlets or publication types produced by AZA members that are not indexed in the WoS, but it provides a standardized source for our comparison among zoos and aquariums, assuming that the proportion of research productivity that is not published in WoS sources is roughly constant among institutions
We provided a summary of the current state of scientific publishing by zoos and aquariums, while offering guidance and role models for zoos and aquariums aspiring to increase their research productivity
Summary
We are facing a global biodiversity crisis in the Anthropocene, with escalating extinction rates and biodiversity losses (Dirzo et al 2014; Pimm et al 2014). Addressing and trying to reverse this crisis is a monumental task, currently undertaken by a diverse portfolio of organizations that include inter-governmental panels, federal agencies, research institutions, and nonprofits (e.g., Armsworth et al 2012). Among these organizations are zoos and aquariums, which have transitioned over time from primarily public or private menageries to organizations actively involved in biodiversity conservation (Hutchins and Smith 2003). Founded in 1924, AZA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums through institution accreditation, animal care initiatives, education, and conservation programs.
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