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The Dissenter

#1034 Elise Zipkin: Population Dynamics, Biodiversity, and Climate Change

Dec 19, 2024
Elise Zipkin, Red Cedar Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, specializes in quantitative ecology and conservation. In this discussion, she dives into the crucial interplay between animal population dynamics and climate change. Elise highlights the alarming impacts of human activities on biodiversity and the growing challenges posed by invasive species. She emphasizes the need for sustainable practices to protect our ecosystems while addressing climate uncertainties. Tune in for insights that blend math with the mysteries of nature!
45:45
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Episode guests

Elise Zipkin

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Understanding animal population dynamics helps predict how species will respond to environmental changes and informs conservation strategies.
  • Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem services that benefit humanity, but its value varies across different ecological contexts and challenges need addressing.

Deep dives

Understanding Animal Population Dynamics

Animal population dynamics involves studying the abundance and distribution of species, particularly how these factors are influenced by environmental changes, both natural and anthropogenic. Researchers aim to grasp the baseline conditions of species populations in the past and present to predict future changes due to factors like climate change. Models often incorporate both human-induced changes and natural processes to provide a comprehensive understanding of species behavior over time. This dual approach enables scientists to contextualize observed changes and formulate strategies for conservation and management.

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