24.4 conservation and preservation

conservation

• the maintenance of biodiversity through human action and management

• this includes maintaining diversity between species, maintaining a genetic biodiversity within a species, and the maintenance of habitat

• involves the management of ecosystems so that natural resources in them can be used without running out

reclamation

this is the process of restoring ecosystems that have been damaged or destoyed

it can also include things such as controlled burning which can halt succession and increase biodiversity

preservation

• the protection of an area by restricting or banning human interference

• examples of preserved habitats include areas set aside in nature reserves and marine conservation zones where human interference is prohibited

economic importance of conservation

to provide resources that humans need to survive and reproduce and to provide an income. For example, rainforest species provide medicinal drugs, clothes, and food that can be traded. Other forests are used for the production of timber and paper

social advantages of conservation

many people enjoy the natural beauty of wild ecosytems as well as using them for activities which are beneficial to health by providing a means for relaxation and exercise.

ethical advantages of conservation

all organisms have a right to exist and most play an important role within their ecosystem. Many people believe that we should not have the right to decide which organisms can survive, and which we could live without. We also have a moral responsibility for future generations to conserve the wide variety of existing natural ecosystems