What do you think are the ecological issues policy makers should know about?

Earlier this year in June, we re-launched our Ecological Issues series at Westminster, highlighting the impacts of extreme events on freshwater ecosystems. But before we get started on our next issue, we want to hear from you about what you thought of it and your ideas for the future of the series.

The document itself grew out of an increasing concern over the lack of information made available to policy makers over the problems that extreme events present for freshwater ecosystems. While much media and political attention centres upon the impact of extreme events upon people and their properties, far less thought is given to freshwater systems. The document, written by a number of freshwater specialists, therefore gives an insight into the problems such systems face and provides recommendations on how to attempt to limit the impacts from such events. A short policy brief is also available.

Our Ecological Issues series therefore acts as a way to deliver science on topics that have high political relevance but are not given much attention in current policy making. Past topics have been upon commercial fisheries, wildlife disease and land management and all are produced by a specially convened group of experts working in that field. Making sure that ecology is on the political agenda is important not only for environmental reasons but also social and economic ones.

It is important to us to better understand how our Ecological Issues series is received by those who read it and where we can help make it have the biggest impact. We’ve made a survey to answer questions relating to what you thought of the most recent issue, who you want us to direct the document towards and your ideas over future issues. Taking part in this will not only help us to develop Ecological Issues into the future, but it is also your chance to take part in one of our projects here at the BES.

Please fill in our (short!) survey, and you can also read about the freshwater ecological issues report and event on our previous blog post.