It seems a shame that less than 1 percent of all the…
““It seems a shame that less than 1 percent of all the species that ever lived survive today and that only about 5 percent of the sum of the world's living species have names. Yet, our preservation efforts must be built on a solid foundation: an ordered taxonomy of living species. So we are forced to do as politicians do--compromise and move forward--often before all the required data are at hand. Every good scientist I know finds such an exercise counterintuitive, difficult, and sometimes impossible. But the really good ones try anyway.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He stresses the need for a solid taxonomic foundation for conservation, acknowledging data gaps and political compromise.
In simple terms: Taxonomy is essential for effective preservation.
Key Takeaway
Build robust classification before action.
Themes
science
conservation
taxonomy
politics
Mood
serious
analytical
Type
academic
inspirational
When to use this quote
- environmental planning
- research funding
- species cataloging
Key Concepts
data integrity
policy compromise
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we improve taxonomic data quickly?
- What compromises are acceptable in conservation?
A Different Perspective
Limited data can hinder decisions.