RCN: Integrating and Translating Conservation Paleobiology

该研究协调网络(RCN)正在开发利用古生物和历史数据来改进自然栖息地的管理和恢复的新方法。化石和其他过去的档案可以告诉我们在人类出现在地球上之前就已经存在的自然栖息地。此外，研究人员最近表明，化石记录可以帮助我们评估物种和栖息地正在消失的情况。也就是说，对过去的了解可以帮助我们更好地保护和恢复受威胁的动植物。该项目将科学家和利益相关者(社区、机构和行业)聚集在一起，以确保历史档案有效地帮助保护工作。该项目通过社区建设活动(讲习班和实地课程)、在线培训方案(网络研讨会)和学生教育方案造福社会。这个研究协调网络(RCN)正在将保护古生物学从一群新的学术项目转变为一门应用科学，将地史数据传输给利益相关者群体，并善于响应利益攸关者的需求。该项目涉及两个主要目标：1)内部整合，将不同的努力汇集在一起，建立最佳做法，将跨地区的努力联系起来，并协调未来研究人员在这些最佳做法方面的培训；2)外部整合，重点是科学家和利益攸关方之间的网络联系，使保护古生物学成为一门翻译科学，通过科学家和科学数据用户之间的互动来发展新知识。为了实现这些目标，我们正在使用基层战略来建立实践共同体，该共同体正在发展(1)解决保护古生物学关键问题的工作组；(2)注重系统的实地课程，吸引学生、初级教师和利益相关者参与；(3)致力于培训未来的保护科学家/实践者的网络研讨会。RCN由PI和由科学家、保护从业者和利益相关者组成的指导委员会管理。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Research Coordination Network (RCN) is developing new ways to use paleontological and historical data to improve management and restoration of natural habitats. Fossils and other archives of the past can inform us about natural habitats that existed before humans appeared on our planet. Moreover, researchers have shown recently that the fossil record can help us to assess the ongoing loss of species and habitats. That is, the knowledge of the past can help us to better protect and restore threatened plants and animals. The project brings together scientists and stakeholders (communities, agencies, and industry) to ensure that historical archives effectively assist conservation efforts. The project benefits society via community-building activities (workshops and field courses), online training programs (webinars), and student education programs. Well-tested strategies are maximizing participation of under-represented groups.This Research Coordination Network (RCN) is transforming conservation paleobiology from a cluster of novel academic projects into an applied science that transfers geohistorical data to stakeholder groups and is adept at responding to stakeholder needs. The project addresses two key objectives: 1) Internal Integration, which is bringing together disparate efforts, establishing best practices, connecting efforts across regions, and coordinating the training of future researchers in these best practices; and 2) External Integration, which focuses on networking of scientists and stakeholders to make conservation paleobiology a translational science wherein new knowledge evolves via interactions between scientists and scientific data users. To achieve these goals, we are using grass-roots strategies to build a Community of Practice which is developing (1) Working Groups that tackle key questions of conservation paleobiology; (2) System-Focused Field Courses that engage students, junior faculty, and stakeholders; and (3) Webinars dedicated to training future conservation scientists/practitioners. The RCN is managed by PI and the Steering Committee comprised of scientists, conservation practitioners, and stakeholders.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.