Vertebrate Fossils and the Future of Conservation Biology

ABSTRACT.—The science and practice of conservation biology face new challenges in the next few decades that will require application of the vertebrate fossil record. The new challenges are how to preserve not only individual species, but also natural ecosystem function through a time that is seeing unprecedented rates of climate change, human-population growth, and habitat fragmentation. Under these circumstances, linkages between vertebrate paleontology and conservation biology are needed to: (1) define the range of normal variation that ecosystems typically experience in their lifespan; (2) provide metrics for monitoring ecosystems that are useful for conservation biologists and benchmarks for recognizing successful ecosystem management; and (3) develop effective conservation strategies for species and ecosystems.