Angels on a pin: Dimensions of the crisis in invertebrate conservation

Abstract

Problems of measuring invertebrate diversity in natural communities are discussed, together with the rationale of setting priorities for effective conservation of invertebrates. The "Crisis" in invertebrate conservation has scientific, logistic, and ethical dimensions. There is need to estimate these in conjunction with a range of values and educational imperatives to overcome public prejudice against invertebrates and to increase conservation funding for invertebrates. Values for selecting priority groups are discussed, and a suite of priority taxa defined to maximise the conservation value of the limited resources available. © 1993 by the American Society of Zoologists.