Nature conservation

This chapter defines the concepts of nature conservation and conservation ethics. It begins by clarifying the meaning of “nature” in the context of conservation, then examines what distinguishes humans from other species and gives a distinctive character to the changes they can bring about in the natural world. This distinction, “the difference”, lies in the unique ways humans perceive, think, and interact with the world, which has historically led to a singular ecological impact. In this light, nature conservation can be seen as an effort to harmonize this difference—a means of aligning human activity with the natural world. Achieving this requires building a value system that fosters a new relationship with nature. While such efforts are not new, sustained reflection on the ethical dimension of conservation emerged in the Western world only in the late modern era, culminating in the twentieth century with the development of mature conservation ethics and its integration into conservation biology.