Education
Ph.D. Biology, Arizona State University
Master of Environmental Management, Duke University
B.S. Psychology, Arizona State University
As Chief Program Officer, Dr. Penny Langhammer oversees all Re:wild programs across the world. She is responsible for developing and implementing Re:wild’s strategy through both regional and cross-cutting programs. Penny also leads our work in several global partnerships including the Key Biodiversity Areas, Forests for Life, and Red List Partnerships. In her role, Penny serves as the programmatic conduit to the Executive Team and Board of Directors.
Penny has spent two decades working to identify and protect the most important places on the planet for biodiversity. As co-chair of the IUCN SSC-WCPA Joint Task Force on Biodiversity and Protected Area, Penny led the development of A Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), adopted by IUCN in 2016. She has since served on the KBA Partnership committee and co-chairs its Technical Working Group.
Prior to joining Re:wild, Penny founded and served as the principal of Terra Consilium, a biodiversity consulting firm. She also worked at Conservation International for nearly a decade supporting partners across the globe in defining science-based outcomes and priorities for conservation.
Penny obtained her PhD from Arizona State University, where she studied the role of the fungal disease chytridiomycosis in amphibian declines and extinction on Puerto Rico. She now serves as adjunct professor of biology in the School of Life Sciences at ASU.
Publications
Langhammer PF, Bull JW, Bicknell JE, Oakley JL, Brown MH, Bruford MW, Butchart SHM, Carr JA, Church D, Cooney R et al. (2024). The positive impact of conservation action. Science 384: 453–458.
Plumptre AJ, Baisero D, Brooks TM, Buchanan G, Butchart SHM, Bowser A, Boyd C, Carneiro APB, Davies T, Elliot W, Foster M, Langhammer PF et al. (2024). Targeting site conservation to increase the effectiveness of new global biodiversity targets. One Earth 7: 11–17.
Lucas PM, Di Marco M, Cazalis V, Luedtke J, Neam K, Brown MH, Langhammer P, Mancini G, Santini L (2024). Using comparative extinction risk analysis to prioritize the Red List reassessments of amphibians. Conservation Biology 38: e14316.
Luedtke JA, Chanson J, Neam K, Hobin L, …Langhammer P, Stuart S (2023). Ongoing declines for the world's amphibians in the face of emerging threats. Nature 622: 308–314.
Langhammer PF, Mittermeier RA, Plumptre A, Waliczky Z, Sechrest W (2021). Key Biodiversity Areas. Qualicum Beach, Canada: CEMEX & Earth in Focus, Inc.
Wiedenfeld DA, Aberts AC, Angulo A, Bennett EL, Byers O, Contreras-MacBeath T, Drummond G, da Fonseca GAB, Gascon C, Harrison I, Heard N, Hochkirch A, Konstant W, Langhammer PF et al. (2021). Conservation resource allocation, small population resiliency, and the fallacy of conservation triage. Conservation Biology 34: 1388–1395.
Bertzky B, Foster M, Langhammer P, Bourdin G, Farinelli S, Fraceschini N, Merizalde R, Ossola C, Zwahlen C, Badman T (2020). Cultural World Heritage sites and Key Biodiversity Areas: a remarkable overlap. World Heritage n°96, December 2020.
Grantham HS, Duncan A, Evans TD, Jones KR, Beyer HL, Schuster R, Walston J, Ray JC, Robinson JG, Callow M, Clements T, Costa HM, DeGemmis A, Elsen PR, Ervin J, Franco P, Goldman E, Goetz S, Hansen A, Hofsvang E, Jantz P, Jupiter S, Kang A, Langhammer P et al. (2020). Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity. Nature Communications 11: 5978.
Visconti P, Butchart SHM, Brooks TM, Langhammer PF, Marnewick D, Vergara S, Yanosky A, Watson JEM (2019). Protected area targets post-2020. Science. doi:10.1126/science.aav6886
Smith RJ, Bennun L, Brooks TM, Butchart SHM, Cuttelod A, Di Marco M, Ferrier S, Knight AT, Fishpool LDC, Joppa L, Juffe-Bignoli D, Lamoreux JF, Langhammer P et al. (2018). Synergies between the key biodiversity area and systematic conservation planning approaches. Conservation Letters: e12625.
Maxwell J, Allen S, Brooks T, Cuttelod A, Dudley N, Fisher J, Langhammer P, Patenaude G, Woodley S (2018). Engaging end-users to inform the development of the global standard for the identification of key biodiversity areas. Environmental Science & Policy 89: 273–282.
Neugarten RA, Langhammer PF, Osipova E, Bagstad KJ, Bhagabati N, Butchart SHM, Dudley N, Elliott V, Gerber LR, Gutierrez Arrellano C, Ivanić K-Z, Kettunen M, Mandle L, Merriman JC, Mulligan M, Peh KS-H, Raudsepp-Hearne C, Semmens DJ, Stolton S, Willcock S (2018). Tools for measuring, modelling, and valuing ecosystem services: guidance for Key Biodiversity Areas, Natural World Heritage Sites, and Protected Areas. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. x + 70pp.
Langhammer PF, Brooks TM, Butchart SHM (2018). Key Biodiversity Areas. Encyclopedia of the Anthropocene 3: 341–345.
Mittermeier RA, Rylands AB, Sechrest W, Langhammer PF, Mittermeier JC, Parr MJ, Konstant WR, Mast RB (Eds.) (2017). Back from the Brink: 25 Conservation Success Stories. Mexico City: CEMEX.
Juffe-Bignoli D, Brooks TM, Butchart SHM, Jenkins RB, Boe K, Hoffmann M, Angulo A, Bachman S, Böhm M, Brummitt N, Carpenter KE, Comer PJ, Cox N, Cuttelod A, Darwall WRT, Di Marco M, Fishpool LDC, Goettsch B, Heath M, Hilton-Taylor C, Hutton J, Johnson T, Joolia A, Keith DA, Langhammer PF et al. (2016). Assessing the cost of global biodiversity and conservation knowledge. PLoS One 11: e0160640.
IUCN (2016). A Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas. Cambridge, UK and Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. (Langhammer PF, lead editor)
Di Marco M, Brooks T, Cuttelod A, Fishpool L, Rondinini C, Smith R, Bennun L, Butchart S, Ferrier S, Foppen R, Joppa L, Juffe-Bignoli D, Knight A, Lamoreaux J, Langhammer P et al. (2016). Quantifying the relative irreplaceability of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. Conservation Biology 30: 392–402.
Refsnider JM, Poorten TJ, Langhammer PF, Burrowes PA, Rosenblum EB (2015). Genomic correlates of virulence attenuation in the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics.
Brooks TM, Cuttelod A, Faith DP, Garcia-Moreno J, Langhammer P, Pérez-Espona S (2014). Why and how might genetic and phylogenetic biodiversity be reflected in the identification of key biodiversity areas? Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 370: 20140019.
Dudley N, Boucher J, Cuttelod A, Brooks T, Langhammer P (Eds.) (2014). Applications of Key Biodiversity Areas: End-user Consultations. Cambridge, UK and Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
IUCN (2014). Consultation Document on an IUCN Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas. Cambridge, UK and Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. 95pp. (Langhammer PF, lead author)
Ellison AR, Savage AE, DiRenzo GV, Langhammer P, Lips KR, Zamudio KR (2014). Fighting a losing battle: vigorous immune response countered by pathogen suppression of host defenses in the chytridiomycosis-susceptible frog Atelopus zeteki. G3: Genes Genomes Genetics.
Langhammer PF, Burrowes PA, Lips KR, Bryant AB, Collins JP (2014). Susceptibility to a fungal pathogen varies with ontogeny in the direct-developing frog Eleutherodactylus coqui. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 50: 438–446.
DiRenzo GV, Langhammer PF, Zamudio KR, Lips KR (2014). Fungal infection intensity and zoospore output of Atelopus zeteki, a potential chytrid supershedder. PLoS One 9: e93356.
Langhammer PF, Lips KR, Burrowes PA, Tunstall T, Palmer CM, Collins JP (2013). A fungal pathogen of amphibians, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, attenuates in pathogenicity with in vitro passages. PLoS One 8: e77630.
Tordoff AW, Baltzer MC, Fellowes JR, Pilgrim JD, Langhammer PF (2012). Key biodiversity areas in the Indo-Burma hotspot: process, progress and future directions. Journal of Threatened Taxa 4: 2779–2787.
Hoffmann M, Brooks TM, da Fonseca GAB, Gascon C, Hawkins AFA, James RE, Langhammer P et al. (2008). Conservation planning and the IUCN Red List. Endangered Species Research 6: 113–125.
Edgar GE, Langhammer PF, Allen G, Brooks TM, Brodie J, Crosse W, De Silva N, Fishpool LDC, Foster MN, Knox DH, McCosker JE, McManus R, Millar AJK, Mugo R (2008). Key biodiversity areas as globally significant targets for the conservation of marine biological diversity. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 18: 969–983.
Schipper J, Chanson JS, Chiozza F, Cox NA, Hoffmann M, …Langhammer P et al. (2008). The status of the world's land and marine mammals: diversity, threat, and knowledge. Science 322: 225–230.
Langhammer PF, Bakarr MI, Bennun LA, Brooks TM, Clay RP, Darwall W, De Silva N, Edgar GJ, Eken G, Fishpool LDC, Fonseca GAB da, Foster MN, Knox DH, Matiku P, Radford EA, Rodrigues ASL, Salaman P, Sechrest W, Tordoff AW (2007). Identification and Gap Analysis of Key Biodiversity Areas: Targets for Comprehensive Protected Area Systems. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
Brooks T, Andriamaro L, Gereau R, Hawkins F, Howell K, Knox D, Langhammer P et al. (2007). Objectifs et priorités pour la conservation des oiseaux et de la biodiversité d'Afrique. Ostrich 78: 115–126.
Brooks T, De Silva N, Duya MV, Foster M, Knox D, Langhammer P, Marthy RW, Tabaranza B Jr. (2007). Delineating Key Biodiversity Areas as targets for protected areas. In Sodhi N, Acciaioli G, Erb M, Tan AK-J (eds.) Biodiversity and Human Livelihoods in Protected Areas: Case Studies from the Malay Archipelago. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. pp. 20–35.
Brooks T, Abuel M, Co L, Coroza O, Valenzuela Duya L, Duya A, Langhammer P et al. (2005). Targets and priorities for biodiversity conservation globally, and in the Philippines. Agham Mindanao 2: 1–10.
Eken G, Bennun L, Brooks TM, Darwall W, Fishpool LDC, Foster M, Knox D, Langhammer P, Matiku P, Radford E, Salaman P, Sechrest W, Smith ML, Spector S, Tordoff A (2004). Key Biodiversity Areas as site conservation targets. BioScience 54: 1110–1118.
Fahey C, Langhammer PF (2003). The effects of dams on biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest. In: Galindo-Leal C, Câmara I de G. (eds.) The Atlantic Forest of South America: Biodiversity Status, Threats, and Outlook. Washington DC: Island Press. pp. 413–425.
Galindo-Leal C, Jacobsen TR, Langhammer PF, Olivieri S (2003). State of the hotspots: the dynamics of biodiversity loss. In: Galindo-Leal C, Câmara I de G. (eds.) The Atlantic Forest of South America: Biodiversity Status, Threats, and Outlook. Washington DC: Island Press. pp. 12–23.
Brooks TM, Mittermeier RA, Mittermeier CG, Fonseca GAB da, Rylands AB, Konstant WR, Flick P, Pilgrim J, Oldfield S, Magin G, Hilton-Taylor C (2002). Habitat loss and extinction in the hotspots of biodiversity. Conservation Biology 16: 909–923.
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