The director of the Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), Eloy Revilla, inaugurated this morning at Pablo de Olavide University the 7th edition of the International Congress on Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, CONSERBIO. In his opening lecture, the CSIC scientist warned against the trap that, in science communication, comes from falling into easy —and even false— generalizations and simplistic messages. This, he stressed, makes science lose credibility and creates “the risk that scientific results become irrelevant.”

In contrast to this simplistic narrative that tends to dominate when explaining complex problems and realities—demanded by society and communicators, and reinforced by polarization—Revilla calls for honest science, one that evaluates its practical application fearlessly and with a critical spirit. “Hyperspecialization produces disconnected yet generalized predictions,” he warned, while giving examples of the risks of both oversimplification and techno-optimism in the face of environmental challenges. “Only with quality science can we make progress,” he affirmed.

The International Congress on Biodiversity and Nature Conservation seeks to disseminate and transfer scientific knowledge on the protection of species and ecosystems. To this end, it promotes the integration of research topics and conservation management practices.

More than 250 scientists from 15 countries are taking part in this biennial event, organized in its 7th edition by Pablo de Olavide University, through the CEI CamBio Project, the Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), and the Conserbio Association. The congress is funded by the Andalusian Complementary Biodiversity Plan, supported by the European Union’s Next Generation EU funds under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and the Regional Government of Andalusia.