Toward Innovative Integrated Approaches for the Conservation of Mammals

Abstract

Mammals are being severely impacted by human activities and currently suffer from population declines and extinctions, loss of phylogenetic and functional diversity, and erosion of genetic diversity. Under this scenario, complementary approaches to minimize the loss of diversity are of paramount importance. Here we present how methods to identify threats, population viability, genetic diversity, and reserve selection could be integrated to improve the effectiveness of mammal conservation strategies both today and in the future. We discuss how this integration can fill current gaps in our scientific knowledge aiming at the development of more comprehensive conservation strategies for mammals. Lastly, we envisage that networks of scientific collaboration are obviously needed, so scientists from different but complementary fields could foster discussions and integrate their views and approaches. This would ultimately allow science, management and policy-making to advance together.