Join the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment for a discussion with Rodolfo Dirzo, coauthor of Before They Vanish, a powerful new book exploring how humanity can still prevent the worst consequences of the planet’s ongoing biodiversity collapse.

In Before They Vanish, Dirzo and coauthors argue that conservation efforts have focused too narrowly on preventing the extinction of entire species – events that often occur so gradually they are recognized only when it is too late to act. Instead, the authors highlight the importance of population extinction, the disappearance of species from specific places, which can signal ecological collapse long before global extinction occurs.

Drawing on decades of research and examples from vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, the book shows how earlier detection of population declines can enable faster and more effective conservation action. By shifting the focus of conservation toward local populations and ecosystems, Dirzo will argue that we still have the power to slow biodiversity loss and protect the extraordinary diversity of life on Earth.

In this discussion, Dirzo will share insights from their research and writing, explore the science behind population extinction, and discuss what scientists, policymakers, and communities can do to help prevent further ecological loss.

For more information, contact: woods-events@stanford.edu

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