The rise of the idea of biodiversity: crises, responses and expertise

Abstract

The idea of biodiversity has often changed or developed in response to crisis or alarm. New developments seemingly control the crisis, and they also entrench particular expertise. This paper presents a historical view of the development of biodiversity and conservation biology, the ‘science of crisis’. Biodiversity has developed from crises in science, practical management challenges and political activism, and all contribute to shaping the concept as it plays out in global change science in the 21st century. Ecology, the ‘fundamental’ science underpinning the concept, is a necessary, but not a sufficient expertise for understanding and managing the planet’s biodiversity in the era of the Anthropocene.