RE: The Risks of Unrestricted Science Publication and Endangered Species
If a new, endangered lizard were found somewhere in South America, how would we begin protecting it if the location or habitat was completely unknown?
The question here seems to make the assumption that these newly-discovered and already endangered species need to be saved/protected. And it almost assumes that the fact that they're endangered is somehow the fault of humans or that it is our responsibility to save/protect them. I don't think that searching the world for rare species and then trying to save them from extinction is productive for science/scientists. As this post points out, it can actually expedite the extinction by creating a lucrative black market for the species in question.
Other than that, I found this post to be quite informative and raises some very good points about publishing. Don't mind my picking of nits.
Well, many of the newly discovered species are already at risk, and some are practically on the brink of extinction when we find them. Sure, perhaps not all are a direct result of humans, but many can be positively linked back to human activity as a cause. So it's beneficial to know what the major causes for their decline are; if humans ARE responsible for their decline perhaps it is our responsibility to save/protect them, but I admit that is my own personal opinion. Even if were are not to blame for their decline, preventing poaching at least minimizes the pressures they face (and also puts additional pressure on the illegal trade). Yes, here I did make an assumption, it was just an example to demonstrate the point.
I agree, just scouring the world for animals then trying to save individual species isn't entirely productive. But we study these endangered species to understand the causes behind their decline and see the bigger picture. By studying the species at risk, their ecosystems, and how they are impacted by human activity, it gives us an idea of what actions to take to begin conserving ALL of our natural resources.
Thanks for the comment!