What is conservation paleobiology? Tracking 20 years of research and development

• DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1031483
• Publication Date: 2022-12-07T05:13:49Z
• Authors: Erin M. Dillon; Jaleigh Q. Pier; Jansen A. Smith; Nussaïbah B. Raja; Danijela Dimitrij...; Elizabeth L. Austin; Jonathan D. Cybulski; Julia De Entramba...; Stephen R. Durham; Carolin M. Grether; Himadri Sekhar Ha...; Kristína Kocáková; Chien-Hsiang Lin; Ilaria Mazzini; Alexis M. Mychajliw; Amy L. Ollendorf; Catalina Pimiento; Omar R. Regalado ...; Isaiah E. Smith; Gregory P. Dietl
• Keywords: Paleobiology; Conservation science; Conservation Biology

Conservation paleobiology has coalesced over the last two decades since its formal coining, united by goal of applying geohistorical records to inform conservation, management, and restoration biodiversity ecosystem services. Yet, field is still attempting form an identity distinct from academic roots. Here, we ask a deceptively simple question: What conservation paleobiology? To track development as field, synthesize complementary perspectives survey scientific community that familiar with systematic literature review publications use term. We present overview paleobiology’s research scope compare participants’ perceptions what it should be field. find paleobiologists variety data in their work, although typified near-time marine molluscs terrestrial mammals collected local regional spatial scales. Our results also confirm field’s broad disciplinary basis: participants indicated can incorporate information wide range disciplines spanning biology, ecology, historical paleontology, archaeology. Finally, show have yet reach consensus on how applied practice. The revealed many thought more but most do not currently engage Reflecting developed decades, discuss opportunities promote cohesion, strengthen collaborations within science, align training priorities continues crystallize.