Peter Feinsinger is adjunct professor of biology at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, and conservation
fellow with the Wildlife Conservation Society. The book was sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, an international
nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving biodiversity through the protection of critical habitat.
Summary
Anyone working in biodiversity conservation or field ecology should understand and utilize the common-sense
process of scientific inquiry: observing surroundings, framing questions, answering those questions through well-designed
studies, and, in many cases, applying results to decision making. Yet the interdisciplinary nature of conservation
means that many workers are not well versed in the methods of science and may misunderstand or mistrust this indispensable
tool.
Designing Field Studies for Biodiversity Conservation addresses that problem by offering a comprehensible, practical
guide to using scientific inquiry in conservation work. In an engaging and accessible style, award-winning tropical
ecologist and teacher Peter Feinsinger melds concepts, methods, and intellectual tools into a unique approach to
answering environmental questions through field studies. Focusing on the fundamentals of common sense, independent
thinking, and natural history, he considers:
framing the question and designing the study
interpreting and applying results through judicious use of statistical inference
taking into account the natural history of plants, animals, and landscapes
monitoring and assessing progress through approaches such as "bioindicator species" or "species
diversity measures"
helping other interested parties (park guards, local communities, school teachers) use scientific inquiry in
addressing their own concerns
Detailed appendixes explain technical issues, while numerous sidebars and illustrations provide important background
and thought-provoking exercises. Throughout, the author challenges the reader to integrate conceptual thinking
with on-the-ground practice in order to make conservation truly effective. Feinsinger concentrates on examples
from Latin America but stresses that the approach applies to local conservation concerns or field biology questions
in any landscape.
Designing Field Studies for Biodiversity Conservation is an essential handbook for staff and researchers working
with conservation institutions or projects worldwide, as well as for students and professionals in field ecology,
wildlife biology, and related areas.