Dear Colleagues
I hope you are safe and well in these challenging times.
Earlier this year, a paper titled 'Alarming evidence of the widespread extinction of mite species in the shadows of plant, insect and vertebrate extinctions' published, which he first presented in Antalya.
After that publication, we were contacted by representatives of the IUCN - Species Survival Commission (SSC) who suggested that we establish a Mite Specialist Group (MSG). We agreed and prepared the application, which included forming the group, and the group now has official status.
I am honoured to be the group chair and Maria Orlova (Russia) and Ashley Dowling (USA) are the vice-chairs. Agnieszka Napierala (Poland) is the Red List Assessment Coordinator and Greg (Australia) is the Conservation Initiatives Coordinator. Apart from mite specialists, we are fortunate to have a botanist, conservation specialists, ecologists and entomologists to increase the group's range of expertise.
The Latin American Society of Acarology, American Society of Acarology, and the Acarological Societies of Iran and Japan, are much appreciated advisory groups.
In essence, MiteSG members and advisory groups are encouraged to do whatever they can personally and through their networks to contribute to a global effort to conserve mite diversity through research, education, advocacy and direct conservation initiatives, for example.,
- propose species for red list assessment (we currently have nearly 100 species listed for assessment); the Mite SG can also do red list assessments of ecosystems
- support and engage in ecological studies that contribute to real conservation gains
- form direct links with NGOs (e. g. conservation groups, farmer organizations, reforestation societies), landholders, local communities and government agencies to achieve measurable conservation outcomes
- support and contribute to initiatives that address habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, pesticide use and other drivers of biodiversity loss
- work to incorporate mites and other invertebrates into the fabric of the biology and curricula in schools and higher education institutions
- conduct research related to mite conservation issues
- establish a presence in on-line platforms to promote the group and its activities
- work with other SSC groups to achieve collective goals
- educate/inform government agencies, conservation area managers and the public about the fundamental role that mites and the other invertebrates play in diverse, healthy, productive ecosystems.
Other suggestions are most welcome.
We should always remember that any gains for mites are multiplied as gains for other invertebrates, plants, vertebrates and other organisms so the benefits of our efforts will be multiplied many times. The expression, 'Think globally, act locally' (and regionally) is highly applicable.
Persons interested in joining the Mite SG should have a special focus on conservation and commit to the 9 goals listed above. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact me.
All the best
Sebahat Ozman-Sullivan
