Keynote Speakers
主旨演讲嘉宾
Chuck Cannon
Dr. Chuck CANNON’s work focuses broadly on the ecology and evolution of Southeast Asian trees and forests. Over the past three decades, he has conducted multidisciplinary research in the region, integrating theory, biogeography, genomics, remote sensing, modeling, and long-term forest monitoring to understand how tropical trees diversify, function, and respond to environmental change. An underlying theme has been the development and application of advanced technologies, innovative theoretical and analytical approaches to translate complex natural patterns and processes into actionable conservation insights.
He has held academic and research leadership positions in the United States, China, and Southeast Asia, including roles at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, The Morton Arboretum, and the Singapore Botanic Garden. Most recently, he has returned to XTBG as Director of the newly created Applied Research Center for Tropical Plant Conservation, where comprehensive, technology-enabled strategies will support long-term tropical plant diversity conservation and restoration.
Revolutionary methods for extraordinary times: navigating the global biodiversity bottleneck
Revolutionary methods are clearly necessary if we are to safeguard Nature’s adaptive capacity as we descend into a global biodiversity bottleneck. Until we emerge from this bottleneck, we must navigate an unprecedented, unpredictable world where core ecological evolutionary processes no longer function and novel environmental conditions are emerging locally and globally. The situation demands conservation research and applications that are not reliant on a dramatic improvement in behavior. Applied approaches must leverage available resources and capacity, given the reality of local circumstances, to bring together a community of actors who each play a role in enabling biodiversity’s natural coping mechanisms.
Fortunately, astonishing breakthroughs and synergies are enabling revolutionary, impactful techniques and uncovering surprising natural resilience. These advances are not all robots, drones, and genomics but the rejuvenation of ancient practices including horticulture, agroforestry, and empowered tenured local stewardship. Grounded in proven management tools and case studies, I discuss strategies to integrate these methods into conservation action that helps prepare for the biodiversity bottleneck and sustain Nature's adaptive capacity. This requires clear-eyed collaboration across academic domains, government agencies, corporations, local communities, and tech sectors. I conclude with a call for the ATBC community to embrace revolutionary, inclusive, collaborative approaches, ensuring tropical conservation is adaptive, equitable, and resilient in the Anthropocene.