Special event: Bird Science & Conservation

1) Presidential forum (Wednesday 16 August, 20:00)

Bird science and bird conservation: have we lost our way?
The state of the world’s birds continues to deteriorate, something that no ornithologist can ignore. The number and diversity of problems that produce this sad situation urge us to question what we have done and what we should do to reverse the trend. In 2002 - four years ago already - world leaders pledged to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. Making this pledge a reality rather than a dream poses a major challenge for everybody concerned with environmental issues. Since good conservation depends on good science, we must engage in scientific issues that are relevant to this challenge. This raises many questions about which kind of science we really need. Do we need more rigour and experimentation on the mechanisms that produce population decline and, ultimately, extinction? Do we need more sophisticated models and indicators of population trends? How can we decipher the various consequences of global changes on the distribution and abundance of bird populations? What kind of priorities should we choose? How can we bring about real and concrete collaboration between conservation practitioners and scientists? What kind of science will convince politicians and decision-makers to take the right decisions?
To debate these important but sometimes controversial issues, the International Ornithological Congress and BirdLife International decided jointly to organize a Presidential Forum at the 24th International Ornithological Congress in Hamburg. The IOC provides a unique opportunity to gather a large audience of ornithologists, each with his or her own experience, from all over the world. This forum will be a special event, with no other session scheduled at the same time, so a large audience is expected.
The forum will begin with a general introduction by the President of the IOC and the Chief Executive of BirdLife International, followed by five 15-minute presentations from a range of perspectives within modern ornithology. The presenters are ornithologists with substantial personal experience in i) basic research not directly linked to conservation, ii) applied ornithology that focuses on conservation issues, iii) practical on-the-ground conservation, iv) political and policy issues in conservation, v) birds and climate change. These presentations will be followed by an open panel debate with questions from the floor.
We very much hope that many ornithologists will be interested in taking part in this unique forum for exchanging ideas and experience on this crucial aspect of ornithology.

This Presidential Forum will be accompanied by a

2) Panel discussion (Friday 18 August, 20:00)

Science to practice for conservation
organised by the Alfred Toepfer Academy for Nature Conservation, Schneverdingen, Germany
Chair: Johannes Schreiner, Director of the Academy

Natural sciences play a fundamental role in conservation of species, habitats and ecosystems, as they help to understand important natural history and to predict population variation and to identify conservation and management demands. Nevertheless, much conservation practice is based upon weak evidence though effective conservation requires a conceptual framework, conservation research and evidence-based conservation strategies. However . . . .
Research into nature conservation is more than just biological and geo-science. It also includes engineering, economical, human and social science, and it requires a broad and effective translation of knowledge and conservation needs to the public in order to facilitate and increase public awareness. The panel discussion aims to identify the current tools to bring science to practice for conservation, to question whether these tools are sufficiently effective, and which kind of new tools are required in the future to reach decision makers and practitioners.

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