Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Duke Kunshan University
Conservation Planning
Protected Area
Endangered Species
Conservation of Natural Resources
Conservation
Dr. Binbin Li is the Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences at the Environmental Research Center at Duke Kunshan University. She holds a secondary appointment with the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. She focuses on the synergy between biodiversity conservation and sustainable development under climate change. Her research covers conservation planning to promote synergetic solutions to climate change mitigation and human health, One Health framework, endangered and endemic species conservation in China such as giant pandas, sustainable infrastructure building in the Belt and Road Initiative and bird collisions in urban environment. She promotes to use of innovative technology, market tools, citizen science, and policies to solve conservation problems and assist sustainable local community development.
Dr. Li has been awarded EC50 by Explorers Club, one of the world’s most inspiring explorers. She serves as the co-chair of IUCN WCPA-protected planet specialist group, and serves on the IUCN Species Survival Commission, World Commission on Protected Areas and the Commission on Prevention of Viral Spillover convened by Lancet and PPATS. She is the editor-in-chief of Integrative Conservation and associate editor of Frontiers of Ecology and Evolution. She also serves on the editorial board of Conservation Biology, Global Ecology and Conservation, Biodiversity Science and National Parks.
Dr. Li is engaged in science communication and nature education. She has been awarded nature photographer of the Year in the Chinese National Geography China Wildlife Image and Video Competition in 2022. She is the founder of the China Anti-bird Collision Action Alliance, the largest citizen science project in China. She is also the board director of SilverLining Conservation Center, which aims to increase the capacity of storytelling for conservation practitioners and to change public behaviors using media instruments.
Dr. Li got her PhD in Environment from Duke University (2017), M.S in Natural Resources and Environment from University of Michigan (2012). and B.S in Life Sciences with a dual degree in Economics from Peking University (2010).
AWARDS AND FUNDING
2024-2025 PI: “Biodiversity-friendly tea plantation in Yunnan”. China Environmental Protection Foundation
2023-2025 PI: “Morphological Adjustment of the Yangtze River and Corresponding Ecological Response”. WHU-DKU Joint Seeding Program
2022-2024 PI: “Reintroduction of Chinese Alligator and subsequent foodweb changes”. Duke Kunshan University Foundation
2022-2029 PI: “China National Bird Collision Survey and Action Alliance”. Zhilan Foundation
2022-2025 PI: “The effects and mechanism of stand age and landscape complexity on mammal diversity in the Larix kaempferi plantation of Qinling Mountains”. The National Natural Science Foundation of China
2021-2024 PI: “Camera trapping mononitoring network in Liang Shan”. Green Foundation
PROFESSIONAL HONORS & RECOGNITION
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Current Teaching
Duke Kunshan University
ENVIRON 593K Independent Studies and Projects (graduate course)
ENVIRON 602K Natural Resources and Protected Area Management (graduate course)
ENVIRON 718K Environmental Sciences (graduate course)
ENVIRON 759K Environmental GIS (graduate course)
https://today.duke.edu/2023/03/duke-kunshan-professor-named-nature-photographer-year
https://dukekunshan.edu.cn/en/news/blog/faculty-focus-talk-wild-side-binbin-li
https://nicholas.duke.edu/about/news/protect-key-habitats-not-just-wilderness-preserve-species
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201712/23/WS5a3dcf10a31008cf16da30c5.html
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150916-why-we-really-should-save-pandas
Li, B. V., Wu, S., Pimm, S. L., & Cui, J. (2024). The synergy between protected area effectiveness and economic growth. Current Biology : CB, 34(13), 2907-2920.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.044
Li, B. V., Wu, S., Hua, F., & Mi, X. (2024). The past and future of ecosystem restoration in China. Current Biology : CB, 34(9), R379–R387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.057
Loss, S. R., Li, B. V., Horn, L. C., Mesure, M. R., Zhu, L., Brys, T. G., … Farnsworth, A. (2023). Citizen science to address the global issue of bird–window collisions. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 21(9), 418–427. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2614
Zhao, S., Wang, X., Li, B. V., Dou, L., Liu, Y., Yang, S., … Chen, S. (2023). Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus Vernaya (Mammalia: Rodentia: Muridae) with the description of two new species. Ecology and Evolution, 13(11), e10628. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10628
Şekercioğlu, Ç. H., Sutherland, W. J., Buechley, E. R., Li, B. V., Ocampo-Peñuela, N., & Mahamued, B. A. (2023). Editorial: Avian biodiversity collapse in the Anthropocene: drivers and consequences. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.1202621
Huang, R. M., Medina, W., Brooks, T. M., Butchart, S. H. M., Fitzpatrick, J. W., Hermes, C., … Pimm, S. L. (2023). Correction: Batch-produced, GIS-informed range maps for birds based on provenanced, crowd-sourced data inform conservation assessments. PloS One, 18(12), e0295634. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295634
Wu, T., Ward, P. S., & Li, B. V. (2022). Experimental evidence on cooperation and coordination in forest and endangered species conservation in China. Ecology and Society, 27(4). https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-13671-270440
Jiang, B. K., Sun, S. C., Liu, S. R., & Li, B. V. (2022). Countermeasures for the development of Chinese wildlife disease surveillance and response system under One Health Framework. Biodiversity Science, 30(11). https://doi.org/10.17520/biods.2022270
Danyang, S., Shu-Yueh, L., Lei, Z., & Li, B. V. (2022). Review on bird-building collisions and the case study of a systematic survey in China. Biodiversity Science, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.17520/biods.2021321
Wu, S., & Li, B. V. (2022). Sustainable linear infrastructure route planning model to balance conservation and socioeconomic development. Biological Conservation, 266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109449
Bernstein, A. S., Ando, A. W., Loch-Temzelides, T., Vale, M. M., Li, B. V., Li, H., … Dobson, A. P. (2022). The costs and benefits of primary prevention of zoonotic pandemics. Science Advances, 8(5), eabl4183. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abl4183
Li, B. V., Jenkins, C. N., & Xu, W. (2022). Strategic protection of landslide vulnerable mountains for biodiversity conservation under land-cover and climate change impacts. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 119(2), e2113416118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2113416118
Li, B. V., & Jiang, B. (2021). Responses of forest structure, functions, and biodiversity to livestock disturbances: A global meta-analysis. Global Change Biology, 27(19), 4745–4757. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15781
Wu, S., Li, B. V., & Li, S. (2021). Classifying ecosystem disservices and valuating their effects – a case study of Beijing, China. Ecological Indicators, 129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107977
Gao, Y., & Li, B. V. (2021). Evaluation of the status, job satisfaction and occupational stress of Chinese nature reserve staff. Global Ecology and Conservation, 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01731
Li, B. V., Kim, M. J., Xu, W., Jiang, S., & Yu, L. (2021). Increasing livestock grazing, the unintended consequence of community development funding on giant panda habitat. Biological Conservation, 257, Not-Available. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109074
Kauffman, M. J., Cagnacci, F., Chamaillé-Jammes, S., Hebblewhite, M., Hopcraft, J. G. C., Merkle, J. A., … Zuther, S. (2021). Mapping out a future for ungulate migrations. Science (New York, N.Y.), 372(6542), 566–569. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abf0998
Xiao, L., Lu, Z., Li, X., Zhao, X., & Li, B. V. (2021). Why do we need a wildlife consumption ban in China? Current Biology : CB, 31(4), R168–R172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.12.036
Li, S., Feng, J., Li, B. V., & Lü, Z. (2021). The giant panda national park: Experiences and lessons learned from the pilot. Biodiversity Science, 29(3), 307–311. https://doi.org/10.17520/biods.2021074
Huang, R. M., Medina, W., Brooks, T. M., Butchart, S. H. M., Fitzpatrick, J. W., Hermes, C., … Pimm, S. L. (2021). Batch-produced, GIS-informed range maps for birds based on provenanced, crowd-sourced data inform conservation assessments. PloS One, 16(11), e0259299. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259299
Li B.V.*, Jenkins C., Xu W. (2021). Reducing landslide risks by protecting biodiversity. PNAS, accepted.
Huang R.M., Medina W., Brooks T.M., Butchart S.H.M., Fitzpatrick J., Hermes, D., Jenkins C.N., Johnston A., Lebbin D.J., Li B.V., Ocampo-Peñuela N., Parr M., Wheatley H., Wiedenfeld D., Wood C., Pimm S.L.*. (2021). Batch-produced, GIS-informed range maps for birds based on provenanced, crowd-sourced data 1 inform conservation assessments. PLoS One, accepted
Li B.V.*, Jiang B. (2021). Responses of forest structure, functions and biodiversity to livestock disturbances: a global meta-analysis. Global Change Biology, 27(19), 4745-4757.
Kauffman, M. J., Cagnacci, F., Chamaillé-Jammes, S., Hebblewhite, M., Hopcraft, J. G. C., Merkle, J. A., … Li B.V. …& Zuther, S. (2021). Mapping out a future for ungulate migrations. Science, 372(6542), 566-569. DOI: 10.1126/science.abf0998
Wu S., Li B. V., & Li S. (2021). Classifying ecosystem disservices and valuating their effects-a case study of Beijing, China. Ecological Indicators, 129, 107977.
Yan G., Li B.V.*(2021). Evaluation of the status, job satisfaction and occupational stress of Chinese nature reserve staff. Global Ecology and Conservation, 29, e01731.
Li B.V.*, Kim M.J., Xu. W, Jiang S., Yu L. (2021). Increasing livestock grazing, the unintended consequence of community development funding on giant panda habitat. Biological Conservation, 257:109074. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109074
Li S., Feng J., Li B.V., Lu Z. (2021). The Giant Panda National Park: Experiences and Lessons learned from the Pilot. Biodiversity Science, 29(3):307-311. [李晟，冯杰，李彬彬，吕植 (2021)大熊猫国家公园体制试点的经验与挑战，生物多样性，29(3):307-311] DOI:10.17520/biods. 2021074
Xiao L., Lu Z.*, Li X., Zhao X., & Li, B. V.* (2021). Why do we need a wildlife consumption ban in ，China?. Current Biology, 31(4), R168-R172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.12.036
Teo H.C., Campos-Arceiz A, Li B.V., Wu M, Lechner A.M., 2020. Building a green Belt and Road: a systematic review and comparative assessment of the Chinese and English-language literature. PLoS One, 15(9), e0239009. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239009
Li. B.V.* and Pimm S.L. (2020). How China expanded its protected areas to conserve biodiversity. Current Biology, 30(22), R1334-R1340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.09.025
Li, B. V., Reardon, K., Satheesh, N., Liu, C., & Karanth, K. K.* (2020). Effects of livestock loss and emerging livestock types on livelihood decisions around protected areas: Case studies from China and India. Biological Conservation, 248, 108645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108645
Dobson A.P., Pimm S.L., Hannah L, Kaufman L., Ahumada JA., Ando AW, Bernstein A., Busch J., Daszak P., Engelmann J., Kinnaird M., Li B.V., Loch-Temzelides T., Lovejoy T., Nowak K., Roehrdanz,P. and Vale MM. (2020). Ecology and Economics for Pandemic Prevention. Science, July 24, 2020. DOI: 10.1126/science.abc3189.
Li B.V. (2020) Creating synergy between biodiversity conservation and human health—One Health. Biodiversity Science, 28, 596‒605. (in Chinese with English abstract) [李彬彬 (2020) 推进生物多样性保护与人类健康的共同发展 ——One Health. 生物多样性 , 28, 596‒605.] DOI: 10.17520/biods.2020133
Shi XY, Zhang XC, Xiao LY, Li B.V., Liu JM, Yang FY, Zhao X, Cheng C, Lü Z (2020) Public perception of wildlife consumption and trade during the COVID-19 outbreak. Biodiversity Science, 28, 630‒643. (in Chinese with English abstract) [史湘莹, 张晓川, 肖凌云, 李彬彬, 刘金梅, 杨方义, 赵翔, 程琛, 吕植 (2020) 新冠肺炎时期公众对野生动物消费和贸易意愿的调查. 生物多样性, 28, 630‒643.] DOI: 10.17520/biods.2020134
Fan, F., Bu, H., McShea, W. J., Shen, X., Li, B. V., & Li, S. (2020). Seasonal habitat use and activity patterns of blood pheasant Ithaginis cruentusbe in the presence of free-ranging livestock. Global Ecology and Conservation, e01155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01155
Ng, L. S., Campos-Arceiz, A., Sloan, S., Hughes, A. C., Tiang, D. C. F., Li, B. V., & Lechner, A. M. (2020). The scale of biodiversity impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative in Southeast Asia. Biological Conservation, 248, 108691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108691
Li, B. V. (2020). Conservation: Guarding Panda Land. Current Biology, 30(7), R302-R304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.02.089
Hughes A.C., Lechner AM, Chitov A, Horstmann A, Hinsley A, Tritto A, Chariton A, Li B.V., Ganapin D, Simonov E, Morton K. 2020. Horizon Scan of the Belt and Road Initiative. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2020.02.005
Zhang L., Pacifici M., Li B.V., Gibson L. (2020). Vulnerability among China’s ungulates and mitigation offered by protected areas. Conservation Science and Practice, 2(4), e177. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.177
Brooks TM, Pimm SL, Akçakaya HR, Buchanan GM, Butchart SH, Foden W, Hilton-Taylor C, Hoffmann M, Jenkins CN, Joppa L, Li B.V. (2019). Measuring terrestrial area of habitat (AOH) and its utility for the IUCN red list. Trends in ecology & evolution. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2019.06.009.
Stuart L. Pimm, Clinton N. Jenkins and Binbin V. Li. (2018). How to protect half of Earth to ensure it protects sufficient biodiversity? Science Advances, 10.1126/sciadv.aat2616.
李彬彬. 互惠共利：物种保护与生态旅游，旅游学刊 (2018). Doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-5506.2018.08.003
Li., B.V.*, Pimm, S.L., Li, S. Luo, C. & Zhao, L. (2017) Free-ranging livestock threaten the long-term survival of giant pandas. Biological Conservation, 216: 18-25.
Li, B.V., Alibhai, S., Jewell, Z.,* Li, D. & Zhang, H. (2017) Using footprints to identify and sex giant pandas. Biological Conservation 218:83-90.
Pimm, S.L.. Harris, G., Jenkins, C.N., Ocampo-Peñuela, N. & Li, B.V. (2017) Unfulfilled promise of data-driven approaches: response to Peterson et al. Conservation Biology, DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12928
Belasen, A., Brock, K., Li, B., Chremou, D., Valakos, E., Pafilis, P. & Foufopoulos, J. (2017). Fine with heat, problems with water: microclimate alters water loss in a thermally adapted insular lizard. Oikos, 126(3), 447-457.
Ocampo-Peñuela, N., Jenkins, C. N, Vijay, V., Li, B.V., & Pimm., S.L. (2016) Incorporating explicit geospatial data shows more species at risk of extinction than the current Red List. Science Advances, 2(11), e1601367.
Li, B. V., Hughs, A., Jenkins, C. N, Ocampo-Peñuela, N. & Pimm., S.L.* (2016) Remotely sensed data informs Red List evaluations and priorities mountainous areas for endemism conservation in Southeast Asia. PLoS ONE 11(8): e0160566. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0160566.
Li, B., & Pimm, S. L. (2015). China’s endemic vertebrates sheltering under the protective umbrella of the giant panda. Conservation Biology. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12618
Li, B.*, Belasen, A., Pafilis, P., Bednekoff, P., & Foufopoulos, J. (2014). Effects of feral cats on the evolution of anti-predator behaviours in island reptiles: insights from an ancient introduction. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences, 281(1788), 20140339.
