The sustainable biosphere initiative: An ecological research agenda

TLDR

The Ecological Society of America proposes the Sustainable Biosphere Initiative to mobilize ecological science for wise management of Earth’s resources and life‑support systems, calling ecologists to collaborate across disciplines. The initiative emphasizes acquiring ecological knowledge and proposes three research priorities—global change, biological diversity, and sustainable ecological systems—while urging ecologists to collaborate across disciplines. The initiative identifies priority research programs and recommends steps to pursue them.

Abstract

In this document, the Ecological Society of America proposes the Sustainable Biosphere Initiative (SBI), an initiative that focuses on the necessary role of ecological science in the wise management of Earth's resources and the maintenance of Earth's life support systems. This document is intended as a call to arms for all ecologists, but it will also serve as a means to communicate with individuals in other disciplines with whom ecologists must join forces to address a common predicament. This document focuses primarily on the acquisition of ecological knowledge. It identifies the ecological research programs of highest priority and recommends steps required to pursue research objectives. The document also lays the groundwork for improving the communication and application of ecological knowledge. The SBI proposes three research priorities: global change; biological diversity; and sustainable ecological systems.