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Abstract ContextManaging small, isolated populations requires conservation practitioners to weigh up the risks of inbreeding depression and outbreeding depression when assessing alternative management actions aimed at preventing species extinction. Accordingly, it is important that research intended to guide these management decisions provides the relevant evidence to inform them. AimsTo determine the extent to which studies that use genetic analyses to characterise population units for conservation consider the key theoretical concepts necessary for making sound management recommendations regarding the desirability of gene flow among units, notably the consequences and relative risks of inbreeding depression and outbreeding depression. MethodsA systematic search was conducted of peer-reviewed literature for studies that attempted to identify population units of threatened birds and mammals. Using content analysis, the theoretical framing of these studies was assessed, based on the discussion of key concepts concerning differences among populations. Key resultsThere has been a significant increase over time in the number of published studies that use genetics to identify population units for conservation. Many do not consider theoretical concepts relevant to the effective management of fragmented populations of threatened species. Mammals were more common than birds as focal species of studies, but the number of concepts used in the framing of the studies was similar for these two taxa, despite differences in their ecology and biology that might be expected to affect perceptions of distinctiveness. Nevertheless, species of greater conservation concern tended to have a slightly more comprehensive theoretical framing. ConclusionsThere is great potential for more studies to implement theoretical guidelines and practical decision support tools when considering the best course of action for identifying appropriate population units for conservation management. ImplicationsThe gap in the identified literature is likely to be impacting the ability of conservation practitioners to make evidence-informed decisions about how to manage the genetic health of threatened species; it would be valuable to improve this situation.

Achieving nature conservation goals require grappling with 'wicked' problems. These intractable problems arise from the complexity and dynamism of the social–ecological systems in which they are embedded. To enhance their ability to address these problems, conservation professionals are increasingly looking to the transdisciplines of systems thinking and evaluation, which provide philosophies, theories, methods, tools and approaches that show promise for addressing intractable problems in a variety of other sectors. These transdisciplines come together especially around praxis, i.e., the process by which a theory or idea is enacted, embodied or realized. We present a review and synthesis of the learnings about praxis that have emerged from The Silwood Group, a consortium of conservation professionals, professional evaluators, and complexity and systems thinkers. The Silwood Group believes that for conservation activities to achieve ambitious goals, we should benefit nature without compromising the well-being of people, and that framing a praxis for conservation in the context of social–ecological systems will provide the greatest potential for positive impact. The learnings are presented as four key principles of a 'praxis for effective conservation'. The four principles are: (1) attend to the whole with humility; (2) engage constructively with the values, cultures, politics, and histories of stakeholders; (3) learn through evaluative, systemic enquiry, and (4) exercise wisdom in judgement and action. We also provide descriptions and references for tools and methods to support such praxis and discuss how the thinking and approaches used by conservation professionals can be transformed to achieve greater effectiveness.

A hundred research priorities of critical importance to protected area management were identified by a targeted survey of conservation professionals; half researchers and half practitioners. Respondents were selected to represent a range of disciplines, every continent except Antarctica and roughly equal numbers of men and women. The results analysed thematically and grouped as potential research topics as by both practitioners and researchers. Priority research gaps reveal a high interest to demonstrate the role of protected areas within a broader discussion about sustainable futures and if and how protected areas can address a range of conservation and socio-economic challenges effectively. The paper lists the hundred priorities structured under broad headings of management, ecology, governance and social (including political and economic issues) and helps contribute to setting future research agendas.