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Published on: June 7, 2024
What is the future of conservation?
Daniel F Doak1, Victoria J Bakker2, Bruce Evan Goldstein3
1Environmental Studies Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
New conservation science (NCS) prioritizes human benefits over nature's intrinsic value, sparking debate. Despite claims, NCS lacks broad scientific backing, stemming from a human-centric belief system.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
Background:
- A recent shift in conservation biology, termed 'new conservation science' (NCS), de-emphasizes protecting nature for its intrinsic value.
- NCS prioritizes environmental protection based on human benefits, influencing major conservation organizations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the scientific basis and underlying motivations of new conservation science (NCS).
- To analyze the debate surrounding the refocusing of conservation goals towards human-centric benefits.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of biological and social science supporting NCS claims.
- Analysis of the philosophical underpinnings and belief systems driving NCS.
Main Results:
- NCS has limited empirical support from biological and social sciences.
- The shift towards NCS appears primarily driven by a belief system prioritizing human needs over nature's inherent value.
Conclusions:
- The scientific justification for new conservation science is weak.
- The rise of NCS reflects a prioritization of anthropocentric values within conservation efforts, challenging traditional ecological ethics.
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