Invasive species: one of the four horsemen of our apocalypse

Alien invasive species have already been wholly or largely responsible for the extinction of dozens of species, yet there is no sign that their role in the current extinction crisis is diminishing. Indeed, Pulitzer Prize-winning scientist Jared Diamond included invasive species as one of the “Four Horsemen” of this particular apocalypse, along with habitat destruction, over-exploitation by people, and extinction cascades (when one extinction leads to another). This meeting will highlight the seriousness of the threat that invasive species pose both environmentally and economically. It will address the interactions between climate change and invasive species and the potential biological disasters which could result. A broad introduction to the issues posed by invasive species, coupled with specific examples of newly emerging problem areas will leave the audience with a knowledge of both site-specific and global threats posed by invasives as well as an understanding of the management implications and conservation problems.

Speakers

Talk title TBC
Tim Blackburn, Director of the Institute of Zoology

Unravelling the story of an alien invader
Helen Roy,Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Invasions in the Antarctic
Peter Convey, British Antarctic Survey

This meeting will be chaired by Niall Moore, Non-native Species Secretariat (Fera)

3-COURSE DINNER WITH THE SPEAKERS

A dinner will follow this Science and Conservation Event and everyone is welcome. Dinner places cost £35 per person including two glasses of wine and reservations should be made before 5pm on Wednesday 5 June. Please download a dinner booking form here (197 KB)

Booking is not necessary for our Science and Conservation evening events, and seating is allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Further Information: please contact Megan Orpwood-Russell, Scientific Meetings Coordinator, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY.
Tel:+44 (0)20 7449 6227. Fax: +44 (0)20 7449 6411. E-mail: megan.orpwood-russell@zsl.org.

ZSL Science and Conservation Events: An essential part of ZSL's work is to communicate relevant, high-quality zoological and conservation science. The integrated ZSL Science and Conservation Events programme includes Symposia, and the new 'Wildlife Conservation' and 'Communicating Science' series. Topics cover a wide variety of zoological and conservation themes, and international experts present and discuss their research.

Related links
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