How can quantitative ecology be attractive to young scientists? Balancing computer/desk work with fieldwork

摘要

If we want science to be credible and useful for citizens, the effectiveness of our actions for the conservation of biodiversity needs to be evaluated. As Possingham (2012) points out, there is a critical lack of such empirical evaluations, and one of the reasons for this is that the related work is essentially computer-/desk-based and much less ‘sexy’ than ?eldwork. As a consequence, we fail to attract young researchers to do the job, and even if we manage to do so, it is dif?cult to have them stay in the area.