Biodiv Sci ›› 2007, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (3): 312-318.  DOI: 10.1360/biodiv.070071

• Special Issue • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Conservation Behavioral Science, a new branch of Conservation Biology

Chunwang Li 1, 2, Zhigang Jiang 1, 2*, Enquan Zhang 3 , Yuan Gu 1, 2, 4   

  1. 1 Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101
    2 Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101
    3 Beijing Zoo, Beijing 100044
    4 Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049
  • Online:2007-05-20 Published:2007-05-20

Abstract: Conservation Behavioral Science, a new branch of Conservation Biology, is emerging due to participation of animal behaviorist in conservation practice and the integration of Behavioral Science and Conservation Biology. During the past 30 years, people have become convinced that animal conservation needs the knowledge of ethology. Scientists have applied evolutionary biology of animal behavior to solve problems in conservation practice. The aims of Conservation Behavioral Science include: to find the effects of environmental factors on animal behavior, to understand ecological adaptation of animal behavior, and to improve the effectiveness of conservation practice. Nowadays, 10% species in the world are close to extinc-tion and saving biodiversity is considered urgent. As a new branch of Conservation Biology, Conservation Behavioral Science also exploits new directions of animal behavior study and behavioral ecology. Thus, Conservation Behavioral Science brings new opportunity to Behavioral Ecology and Conservation Biology. We believe that Conservation Behavioral Science and its related subjects will prosper more in the future.