Salit Kark, Conservation Biology, Hebrew University, Lecture 1 Salit Kark Department of Evolution, Systematics and Ecology The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Conservation Biology (Ecology) Lecture 1 – what is conservation biology? Oct 2009
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Salit Kark, Conservation Biology, Hebrew University, Lecture 1 Salit Kark Department of Evolution, Systematics and Ecology The Silberman Institute of Life.
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In many religions we find humans physically and spiritually connected with nature
Hindu, Buddhist, Chinese Tao, Japanese Shinto philosophy: wilderness areas and natural settings are protected for their ability to provide intense spiritual experiences.
Direct connection between the natural world and the spiritual world, which humans need to protect.
Mauritius French Colonials (1769) set aside 25% of forest landholdings for preventing erosion, protected allk forests 200m from water and planted trees in degraded areas…
Tobago Caribbean island: British officers set aside 20% of land as “reserved in wood for rain”
Two opposing views had emerged within the environmental movement by the early 20th century: the conservationists and the preservationists.
The conservationists (such as Pinchot) focused on the proper use of nature, whereas the preservationists (such as Muir) sought the protection of nature from use.
Environmental thinkers and leaders in the US: Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau (mid 19th century): Transcendental Conservation Ethic. Nature has uses besides economic gain.
John Muir: Preservationists Ethic, natural areas have great spiritual and artistic values, as well intrinsic value.
Countered by Pinchot’s Resource Conservation Ethic (early 20th century). Multiple uses of nature and fair resource distribution.
Environmental thinkers and leaders in the US: Aldo Leopold (government officer, early-mid 20th Century): evolutionary-ecological land ethic maintain natural ecosystems and processes, with humans taking a part, ecosystem management.
The idea of protecting nature for nature's sake began to gain more recognition in the 1930s with him calling for a "land ethic" and urging for wilderness protection.
• “To document the full range of biological diversity…
• To investigate human impact on species, communities and ecosystems…
• To develop practical approaches to prevent extinction of species, maintain diversity within species and to protect and restore biological communities and their associated ecosystem functions”