Presenter:   Dr. Phoebe Barnard

South Africa’s Fynbos biome is threatened by urbanization, invasive alien plants, and climate change.  Fynbos endemic birds have highly constrained global ranges at the tip of a continent, and are a valuable system for testing current hypotheses about endemic species’ vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in distinctive biodiversity zones.  We will look at some of the questions and answers from our study of these birds.

Then we’ll look at two strategies to conserve these birds and all species:  first, the Nature Needs Half initiative begun by E. O. Wilson among others.  Finally, the practice of citizen science now called “layperson science” by many is found all over the Salish Sea.  The success of these projects provides hope that this work will spread to unify and motivate the public to act in greater numbers to conserve the Salish Sea.

Dr. Barnard earned a PhD in Animal Ecology studying African passerines, and she describes herself as, “… a sustainability strategist, climate change ecologist, conservation biologist and environmental planner.  I lead teams; I support others leading teams; I translate science into policy, planning and management.”