Conservation

Conservation is a fundamental topic in ecology, and biology as a whole, which advocates the need to preserve and protect the planet’s biological diversity. By biological diversity, this implies protecting the diversity of all genes, species, populations and ecosystems which exist.

Conservation is a topic which requires promotion from continuous scientific research so that the public can understand the importance of maintaining the world’s natural diversity. The loss of any kind of biological diversity is irreversible. Unfortunately, the ways in which humanity is impacting the planet is making the efforts of conservation practices more essential now than ever before.

There are organizations such as The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) and academic journals like Conservation Biology, which advocate the goals of conservation and attempt to communicate the importance of conservation to the general public. SCB upholds the mission of “[envisioning] a world where people understand, value and conserve the diversity of life on Earth”¹. Since 1987, the journal for Conservation Biology has been working to present conservation research and other scientific results to encourage conservation based management, policy and even educational programs¹.

Conservation is a controversial subject and a main difficulty tends to surround knowing where conservation efforts should be focused. Biological diversity does not have a value similar to that of other goods and services we desire or require. However, the goods and services which all organisms depend on are ultimately linked to maintaining the biological diversity of our planet. Thus, practicing conservation is instrumental to life on Earth.

References:

1. Society for Conservation Biology. (2014). About SCB. Retrieved from http://www.conbio.org/about-scb/who-we-are

Title Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

BrainMass Categories within Conservation

Conservation Genetics

Solutions: 1

Conservation genetics is a branch of biology dedicated to maintaining genetic variation within individuals, species and populations through the use of genetic aids and tools.

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Remote technology to monitor wildlife

What are REAL situations in which the application of remote technology can be especially useful in trying to better understand a species that requires conservation action? Please provide specific examples.

Threatened Species in Your Community

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Conservation Strategy

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The Conservation Movement (1970s)

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Preservation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Puerto Rico: This Country's Relation to Deforestation

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Bioremediation and Restoration

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Coral Reefs

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Connections of human activities and the biological world are noted.

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Speech about the prevention of destruction of rain forests.

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Discussing Habitat Fragmentation

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Conservation

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Environmental Protection of Open Green Space

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