title: A horizon scan of global conservation issues for 2015.
abstract: This paper presents the results of our sixth annual horizon scan, which aims to identify phenomena that may have substantial effects on the global environment, but are not widely known or well understood. A group of professional horizon scanners, researchers, practitioners, and a journalist identified 15 topics via an iterative, Delphi-like process. The topics include a novel class of insecticide compounds, legalisation of recreational drugs, and the emergence of a new ecosystem associated with ice retreat in the Antarctic.
authors.affiliation: Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK. Electronic address: w.sutherland@zoo.cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, PB 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Mick
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clout
authors.affiliation: European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Truro, TR1 3HD, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Depledge
authors.affiliation: Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.
authors.forename: Lynn V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Dicks
authors.affiliation: Environment Agency, Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AH, UK.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dinsdale
authors.affiliation: Fauna & Flora International, 4th Floor, Jupiter House, Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JD, UK.
authors.forename: Abigail C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Entwistle
authors.affiliation: John Muir Institute of the Environment, The Barn, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fleishman
authors.affiliation: RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, UK.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.affiliation: WIRED, 520 3rd Street, Third Floor at Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA.
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Keim
authors.affiliation: Institute for Environment, Health, Risks, and Futures, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK.
authors.forename: Fiona A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Lickorish
authors.affiliation: Natural Resources Wales, Cambria House, 29 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0TP, UK.
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Monk
authors.affiliation: Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ockendon
authors.affiliation: British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.
authors.forename: Lloyd S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Peck
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences and Essex Sustainability Institute, University of Essex, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK.
authors.forename: Jules
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pretty
authors.affiliation: Stockholm Resilience Center, Stockholm University, Kräftriket2B, SE-106 19 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rockström
authors.affiliation: Global Marine Team, The Nature Conservancy, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Spalding
authors.affiliation: Wetlands International, P.O. Box 471, 6700 AL Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Femke H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Tonneijck
authors.affiliation: Quantitative & Applied Ecology Group, National Environmental Research Program Environmental Decisions Hub, School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Bonnie C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Wintle
mesh_terms: D057231:Climate Change; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000639:trends*; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D007306:Insecticides
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides
keywords: Antarctica; drugs; environment; future; priority setting; public health; trade