Conservation Biology



Conservation Biology

Introduction

In the complex world of applying science in conservation problems, conservation biology is a fairly new stage. The field deals with the biology of communities, species and ecosystems that are disturbed by humans or other means in a direct or indirect manner (Soulé, 1985). It involves applying knowledge about the processes and threats to ecosystem in developing scientific solutions for the conservation and management of the ecosystem. It is the ecosystem on which the survival of every living thing is dependent. The concept is the work of Dasmann and Ehrenfeld (Gerber, 2010).

The focus of conservation biology is on providing guidelines and tools for the preservation of diversity of life on Earth. What makes this science different from other biological disciplines is its major use as a crisis science. For the proper execution of this discipline, information as well as intuition is important since crisis management is not science but art, as well. Thus in the work of a conservation biologist, uncertainty is inevitable (Soulé, 1985).

Characteristics of conservation biology include a multidisciplinary, diverse and synthetic structure and a holistic nature. Many of its techniques and methods are from other fields, which are not all biological. It is also dependent on social sciences disciplines. The field of conservation biology primarily deals in economic objectives and usually focuses on a small fraction of target species like trees, deer and others (Soulé, 1985).

In the field of conservation biology, there is an integration of genetics, taxonomy, ecology and demography theories. Together these disciplines have an impact on habitat restoration, captive breeding, genetic analyses and ecosystem/species management (Anonymous, 2005).

Discussion

Future Challenges in the Discipline of Conservation Biology

The inefficiency of traditional sciences like forestry, wildlife management and fisheries to combat biological diversity gave rise to the development of this field. The destruction after World War II and the increasing industrialization made people realize the intensity of the situation and the need for such a discipline. Since then, it has rapidly expanded into a highly popular and fast growing discipline.

Government and private organizations seek help from conservation biologists on issues like chemical pollution, introduction of species and site and size of national parks. In today's world where tropical deforestation, extinction of species, global warming, amongst other ecological issues is at an all-time high, there is a dire need for conservation biologists to apply the principles of this discipline.

However, there are a variety of challenges that hinder the development of the true potential of conservation biology. These challenges include current as well as future issues that have to be dealt with. Although the challenges are diverse and grave, they are not impossibly difficult. The right strategies and studies can help in overcoming these challenges in the future.

One of the current and most serious problems, which is also a future challenge, is lack of sufficient funding for conservation biology projects or research. The field requires extensive investment in all its aspects which is, and perhaps will not be easily available. There has to be strong institutional and financial support ...