Conservation

Conservation

• the maintenance of biodiversity through human action/management

  • maintaining diversity between species

  • maintaining genetic diversity within a species

  • maintaining habitats

Preservation

• the protection of an area by restricting or banning human interference so the ecosystem is kept in its original state

• used for preserving very fragile ecosystems, easily damaged or destroyed by human disturbances

• the only people who may visit are those in charge of monitoring the area

Importance of conservation

• Ethical

  • all organisms have a right to exist

  • most play important role in ecosystem

  • many believe we do not have the right to decide:

    • which organisms can survive

    • which organisms we can live without

  • moral responsibility for future generations to conserve the wide variety of existing natural ecosystems

• Social

  • many people enjoy natural environment

  • inspiration for writers, musicians, artists

  • many activities people can do together in nature eg. walking and climbing

  • such environments may be lost if not conserved

• Economic

  • to provide resources that humans need to survive and provide an income

    • rainforest species provide medicinal drugs, clothes, and food for trade