Biodiversity News
![Ladybug beetle on a mature dandilion flower gone to seed](https://gfl.news.prod.rtd.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/10/Ladybug.jpg)
Ecological Synthesis and Its Role in Advancing Knowledge
Today, ASU Center for Biodiversity Outcomes Founding Director Leah Gerber co-authored a new BioScience publication titled “Ecological Synthesis and Its Role in Advancing Knowledge.” Abstract Synthesis has become ubiquitous in
SOLS New Faculty Showcase, Danica Schaffer-Smith and Qiyun Zhu
The ASU School of Life Sciences will be hosting their Fall 2020 New Faculty Showcase on Friday, September 25, 2020, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. MT (5:00-6:00 p.m. EST). ASU
![Mocroplastic chips](https://gfl.news.prod.rtd.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Microplastics.jpg)
Microplastic contaminants in American Samoa’s seafood and coastal environments
ASU Center for Biodiversity Outcomes Associate Center Director of Biodiversity Valuation and Assessments Beth Polidoro will be delivering a webinar Thursday, September 24, 2020, 9:00-10:00 a.m. MT (12:00-1:00 p.m. EST)
![Sea turtle swimming near coral](https://gfl.news.prod.rtd.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Sea_turtle_swims_near_corals.jpg)
Uniting Business LIVE, biodiversity and ocean conservation talks
On Monday, September 21, 2020, 5:00-6:30 p.m. MST (8:00-9:30 p.m. ET), ASU Center for Biodiversity Outcomes Founding Director Leah Gerber will lead a group of panelists in a talk titled
![Plastic bags floating in the ocean](https://gfl.news.prod.rtd.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Plastic_Pollution_Floating.jpg)
Growth in plastic waste could exceed mitigation efforts
ASU Center for Biodiversity Outcomes Founding Director Leah Gerber and Associate Center Director of Biodiversity Valuation and Assessments Beth Polidoro published a Science article titled “Predicted growth in plastic waste exceeds efforts to mitigate plastic pollution.”
![Butterfly feeding on flower](https://gfl.news.prod.rtd.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/11/butterfly.jpg)
Conservation cost effectiveness workshop
On September 15, 2020, ASU Center for Biodiversity Outcomes Graduate Research Assistant Katie Surrey-Bergman and Assistant Research Professor Gwen Iacona, both from the School of Life Sciences, presented a panel
![Artist rendering of new ASU building ISTB7](https://gfl.news.prod.rtd.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/ISTB7.jpg)
ASU launches Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory to transform the world for a better future
At a time of increasing challenges around the globe, successful responses and solutions depend on recognizing the complexity and interconnectedness of the Earth’s systems, both natural and societal. In response to current crises and driven by the belief in making positive, substantive advances, ASU announced this week the launch of a laboratory dedicated to keeping our planet habitable and enhancing the options for future generations to thrive.
![Hurricane red flag on a beach](https://gfl.news.prod.rtd.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Hurricane_red_flag_beach.jpg)
Hurricanes’ pollution risks and conservation opportunities talk
ASU Center for Biodiversity Outcomes and The Nature Conservancy Assistant Research Professor Danica Schaffer-Smith, will present a talk on Monday, September 14, 2020, titled “Repeated hurricanes reveal risks and opportunities
![Man in a small boat going down river](https://gfl.news.prod.rtd.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Man_Canoa.jpg)
Rethinking conservation approaches in the age of COVID
On August 31, 2020, Mongabay released a new opinion piece written by Conservation Solutions Lab co-founder Michael Brown, along with other affiliated conservation researchers. The commentary piece is titled “Communities,
![Men on a beach holding a large net near a boat, walking toward the ocean](https://gfl.news.prod.rtd.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/08/Ocean-1-768x768.jpg)
ASU joins global research cohort to launch new center focused on society’s relationship with oceans
ASU and Conservation International join more than 20 other institutions around the world that will provide research and expertise to support Ocean Nexus Center’s four areas of focus: human rights and human security, ocean economy, food safety and sovereignty, and regional fisheries policy.
![China voast](https://gfl.news.prod.rtd.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/China_Coast.jpg)
Postdoc job opening, coastal livelihoods and China’s Maritime Silk Road
A new postdoc position is available, called “Challenges and opportunities for coastal livelihoods associated with China’s Maritime Silk Road investments.” The fisheries social science team at the University of Technology
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Join #BackyardBiodiversity, social media campaign
Biodiversity is all around us! Even in urban settings, we can observe a variety of interesting species of plants and animals, each serving a unique role in our ecosystems. To