Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Future Directions
The ecology of species and ecosystems is incredibly complicated and there are still
many knowledge gaps regarding species diversity and its exact role within ecosys-
tem function. Further research is needed to more fully explain this relationship and
inform conservation action and policy. However, urgent action is also needed to
conserve species as it can be confidently predicted that there is already a movement
toward the next mass extinction [
50
,
86
]. This is especially critical as the year 2050
is approached when the Earth will need to provide enough natural resources for an
estimated 9.2 billion people [
87
]. Addressing the biodiversity crisis and all its
consequences for humanity requires rapid movement toward governance structures
and economic systems that encourage the sustainable use of Earth's natural
resources. If this effort is to be successful, it cannot be limited to traditional
conservationists; it must have the strong support of society as a whole and include
leaders from a range of sectors such as engineering, medicine, finance,
communications, business, and the arts.
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