干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

With the acceleration of species descriptions and declines, we risk potential conflict between conservation and scientific collecting of specimens. Scientific collecting may typically have minor influences on species viability, but scientific collectors are accountable to the public and influence public perception of scientists. Although inappropriate collecting incidents seem rare, and are probably due to naivete, some scientific collectors may not always behave responsibly. Scientific collections are extremely important to understanding biodiversity, and we owe the public our diligence and responsible conduct. I propose an initial, hypothetical sampling scheme that could structure prudent sampling in a way that may minimize risk to threatened species or populations. I call for a concerted effort among herpetological societies, as an exemplar, to work with permit agencies to adopt, implement, and enforce an improved sampling scheme. Using this rationale in permits may reduce public questioning of the integrity of scientific collecting.