Systematics, Natural History, and Conservation.

Discusses the idea that the importance of systematics and natural history for conservation lies in defining the boundaries of organic diversity. Opinion that field biology has a public-image problem, and that conservation needs the expertise of systematists and natural historians; Idea that society must be carefully articulate the reasons for conserving nature, which places and species to protect, and how to accomplish these goals; The emergence of biochemical systematic techniques which has shown that genetically distinct units are not always recognizable on the basis of traditional external characteristics; Perception that many field biologists see little need to communicate formally with lay people about their research.