Book review of 'Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Change. Using Palaeoecology to Manage Dynamic Landscapes in the Anthropocene'

Debate regarding the validity and definition of the Anthropocene epoch is ongoing. However, if we set that aside, Gillson has written a great book! Admittedly, as a palaeoecologist who takes every opportunity to promote palaeoecology and its potential to inform future natural resource and conservation management, I admit I may be a bit biased. Like Gillson, I hold the opinion that palaeoenvironmental research is not simply about the past. It also has great potential to link the past, present and future, to provide valuable insights for future ecosystem management. Gillson sums up the central theme of her book in the concluding chapter, stating ‘a past-present-future perspective’ is essential for successful future ecosystem management, a concept that I support unreservedly.