Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective

Dear Colleagues,

Recent centuries have seen a dramatic increase in the rate of species extinctions and loss of biodiversity, far in excess of historic epigenic or background extinctions. Often termed the “sixth mass extinction”, it is only during recent decades that the full extent of the associated degradation of global ecosystems has been clearly documented and substantially quantified. Indeed, according to the IUCN, well over 500 species of vertebrates have become extinct since 1900, in addition to yet unknown numbers of plants, insects, and other invertebrates. Biodiversity loss in this context consists of both component and functional losses at the local, regional, and global scales. In some cases, losses of ecosystem functionality are irreversible, and can further result in cascading and catastrophic ecological effects across multiple and interdependent trophic levels. These losses can also be attributed, either directly or indirectly, to modern human activities.

Because current biodiversity loss is the result of human activities, they can also halt, reduce, and, in some cases, even reverse observed losses. Cognizant of this undeniable ecological reality, conservationists and resource managers have increasingly developed and employed novel and effective methods for not only reintroducing and restoring extirpated species and populations, but also restoring the habitats and ecosystems with which they are intricately associated, and on which they—and we—depend. It is for these efforts that this Special Issue of Diversity has been established. Papers are welcomed from across the full spectrum of efforts to restore and conserve ecosystems, habitats, populations, or individual species. The overarching objective is to foster a broad and multidisciplinary sharing of information from diverse efforts around the globe that may provide valuable insights and helpful examples to others engaged in or contemplating similar conservation actions. Biodiversity loss is truly a global issue, and can only be effectively mitigated or ameliorated through shared global solutions.

Dr. Thomas H. White, Jr.
Dr. Donald J. Brightsmith
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• biodiversity
• ecological restoration
• reintroduction
• habitat conservation
• extinction
• conservation translocations
• ecological communities