Predicting the future is never easy, but a team of scientists, journalists and policy makers was asked to do just that, looking at new and novel threats to biodiversity in the UK in the next 40 years.
The results, published in Journal of Applied Ecology (original article), predictably included issues to do with the looming energy crises, potentially toxic nanomaterials, as well as some more out-there predictions like the threat of biomimetic robots that could become ‘invasive species’, a modern day equivalent of the devastation the cane-toad continues to cause across Australia.
The effect of nanomaterials on biodiversity is a complex issue that definitely does require more research. It’s not known, for example, how long various nanomaterials may persist or how easily they can be dispersed in different environments.
Science writer Matt walker spoke to New Scientist about the project, saying that:
“The purpose of the exercise was to raise awareness. The more into the future you try to look, the more uncertain it gets, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take such threats seriously. It’s important to look beyond the immediate well-known threats and try to predict the next great challenge to biodiversity.”
It is hoped that the paper will stimulate further research into the areas identified by the group.
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