RT22: Evolutionary and behavioural ecology in the real world of dust and flies

¹Namibian National Biodiversity Programme and Ornithology Section, Ministry of Environment, Private Bag 13306, Windhoek, Namibia, e-mailpb@dea1.dea.met.gov.na; ²Department of Zoology, Uppsala University, Villavaegen 9, S-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden, e-mail staffan.ulfstrand@zoologi.uu.se

Barnard, P., Simmons, R.E. & Ulfstrand, S. 1999. Evolutionary and behavioural ecology in the real world of dust and flies. In: Adams, N.J. & Slotow, R.H. (eds) Proc. 22 Int. Ornithol. Congr., Durban: 3200. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa.

Birds have contributed some of the most provocative and enlightening case studies of evolutionary processes to science, and are increasingly used as models and indicators in conservation biology. Yet the traditional categories of ‘pure’ and ‘applied’ studies in biology remain just as distinct for birds as for any other group, and just as polarised as they have ever been. This forum recognises that many bird researchers have been trained in the heyday of behavioural ecology and yet find themselves employed in the real life market of conservation biology / environmental management. The discussion will spin around a series of questions: How do these ‘intellectual migrants’ adjust to the change? Is evolutionary ecology a luxury in the real world, and should research funds still be allocated to it? Can evolutionary and behavioural ecology feed into the real-life environmental problem solving, and if so, how? How can we improve the quality of bird conservation studies? Should we modify our university curricula, research programmes, or funding systems? ‘Moles’ will be planted among the group to argue these points. All others with iconoclastic opinions or a keen interest in how fields of study blend and cross-pollinate are welcome.