'Devil Tools & Tech': A Synergy of Conservation Research and Management Practice.

Hogg, Carolyn J.; Grueber, Catherine E.; Pemberton, David; Fox, Samantha; Lee, Andrew V.; Ivy, Jamie A.; Belov, Katherine

Biodiversity conservation continually presents new challenges, yet conservation resources are limited, and funding for applied conservation research projects more so. Recently, many have reported on the 'research-implementation gap,' whereby conservation research findings are infrequently translated into conservation actions. In this perspective, we describe our experiences working in a large multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary team as we attempt to bridge the research-implementation gap by developing conservation tools needed to address the conservation challenges faced by Tasmanian devils ( Sarcophilus harrisii). We discuss our project's history, lessons learnt, outcomes, and future plans to provide insights that may help others develop multi-institutional projects, designed to target rapid and direct implementation of conservation research into management action. Key to our success is the needs-based prioritization of research measured against the management team's questions, recognition of the different needs of academia, industry and government, a collegiate approach, and willingness to embrace adaptive management. Challenges include developing a project which meets all strategic targets of different institutions, in addition to sourcing funds. Overall, our goal has been to establish an enduring research-management framework, to facilitate improved integration of scientific research into the management needs of Tasmanian devil conservation, and serve as a template for other species management projects.

CONSERVATION of natural resources; GENOMICS; ENVIRONMENTAL protection; ADAPTIVE natural resource management; ENVIRONMENTAL management

Conservation Letters, 2017, Vol 10, Issue 1, p133

1755-263X

Academic Journal

10.1111/conl.12221