The Linnean Society of London are hosting a free evening lecture on the future of tropical agriculture at Burlington House, London.
Agricultural areas have expanded dramatically in the tropics, providing food for the world’s population, but posing a severe threat to natural habitats and tropical biodiversity. A crop which has attracted particularly negative press and been associated with high levels of deforestation is oil palm. In this talk we will consider some of the negative impacts of oil palm expansion, but also the positives of its very high productivity. We will discuss ways that oil palm can be managed for biodiversity and beneficial ecosystem functions, such as pest control and pollination, that may be key to more sustainable agricultural development.
Edgar Turner is a lecturer and Curator of Insects at the University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge. He runs two large scale experiments in the SE Asia, investigating the role of habitat complexity in supporting biodiversity in human modified landscapes.
Registration is essential. Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Doors will open at 17:30.
Tea will be served in the Library from 17:30 and the event will be followed by a wine reception.
This event is free and open to all
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