We rely on expert predictions to guide conservation. But even experts have biases and blind spots

  • Written by: Andrew Bennett, Adjunct Professor in Ecology, La Trobe University
We rely on expert predictions to guide conservation. But even experts have biases and blind spotsShutterstock

When faced with uncertainty, we often look for predictions by experts: from election result forecasts, to the likely outcomes of medical treatment. In nature conservation, we turn to expert opinion to assess extinction risk, or predict the long-term responses of plant species to fire management.

But how reliable are these predictions?...

Read more: We rely on expert predictions to guide conservation. But even experts have biases and blind spots