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Conservation biology is the protection and management of biodiversity that uses principles and experiences from the biological sciences, from natural resource management, and from the social sciences, including economics. Put another way, conservation biology is the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biological diversity.
The term "conservation biology" refers to the science and sometimes is used to encompass also the application of this science.
The concern of this branch of biology is to help save the diversity of life on Earth through applied conservation research. In the realm of research, biologists seek creative and effective ways to address a wide diversity of ecological problems, ranging from endangered species to regional conservation planning. This translates to developing better conservation tools, analyses, and techniques.
One theoretical tool useful in conservation biology is the Unified neutral theory of biodiversity.
Importance of conservation
Extinction of a species is an irreversible act. Once gone, an exterminated species represents a lost resource of unknown value. While the net value of any one species is virtually impossible to represent in pure numerical or monetary figures, individual reasons for conservation can be demonstrated.
The Indianapolis Prize is the world's leading award for animal conservation. The Indianapolis Prize includes a US$100,000 cash award and the Lilly Medal, which are presented every two years to a conservationist who has made substantial contributions toward the sustainability of an animal species or group of species. Selected by a globally-renowned nominating committee and jury, the finalists for the 2006 Indianapolis Prize include Dr. George Archibald (cranes); Dr. Holly Dublin (African elephants and other IUCN-listed species); Dr. Iain Douglas Hamilton (African elephants); Dr. David Meche (wolves); Dr. Roger Payne (whales and other cetaceans); and Dr. Simon Stuart (amphibeans). Award-winning actress Jane Alexander is the host of the 2006 Indianapolis Prize Gala. Honorary Chairs include Harrison Ford, Ted Turner, Roger Sant, Senator Richard Lugar, and Senator Evan Bayh.
Health and medical
While some are available synthetically or from abiotic sources, humans still depend on other species for caloric intake, vitamins, minerals, and medicine.In 2004 over half of all prescriptions in the United States contained natural plant or animal products.
Aesthetic value
Interaction between species is a source of aesthetic pleasure for humans. Most would say a world with fewer species would be less desirable.Additionally, studies in evolutionary psychology have determined correlations between exposure to natural environments and increased mental health and morality.
Soil health
Soil is essentially a biotic substance. The health of soil is directly related to the health of surrounding primary producers, which supports the surrounding food web. Healthy ecosystems that have been properly conserved generate and maintain fertile soils, prevent soil erosion, detoxification and recycling of waste products, regulation of the hydrological cycle and the composition of the atmosphere, control of agricultural pests, and pollination of plants. Soil conservation is threatened by deforestation, soil contamination, erosion and loss of nutrients.Monetary value
While it is difficult to establish the net value of a species, it can be estimated.
In Cape Province, South Africa the native vegetation of the area is the fynbos, a type of shrub. The fynbos are able to survive long periods of drought, periodic fires, and poor soil conditions; the plants are harvested annually with annual a yield of about $19 billion. Recently exotic plants have threatened the endemic fynbos. The new plants grow larger; increasing the severity of periodic fires. More importantly they transpire more water; reducing the local streams to half their normal water flow.
Removing the exotic species will cost between $140 US and $830 US per hectare and $8 US per hectare to maintain every year after. Alternatively, a sewage purification plant would cost $135 million US to build and $2.6 million US per year to maintain. Desalination of surrounding coastal waters would cost four times as much.
Intrinsic value
Species can be considered to have an intrinsic value. That is, the survival of a species may be viewed to be in the interest of the species itself, without regard for the utilitarian benefits to humans. In this view, non-human populations are perceived to have interests, including an interest in their own continued survival. This view is espoused by deep ecology, which shifts emphasis away from the anthropocentric reasons for conservation and species survival.The purposes of conservation biology (both intrinsic and extrinsic) are further explored by environmental ethics.
Conservation threats
The chief threats to conservation biology in the year 2006 are a set of phenomena stemming from overpopulation. The primary threats are rapid loss of tropical forests from slash and burn practises, logging and environmental pollution. Loss of forests can create an environmental for permanent loss of soil fertility, especially in the case of rainforests.
See also
References
A useful reference book on conservation biology for the the beginner or intermediate and advanced readers:
- Groom, M.J., Meffe, G.K. and Carroll, C.R. (2006) Principles of Conservation Biology (3rd ed.). Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates.
External links
"Conservation biology"