Controversy in Conservation Biology

We are currently in the sixth known mass extinction of life on earth. However, unlike the mass extinctions in geological past, today’s extinctions are primarily the result of human activities. Every natural ecosystem on the planet has been changed by humanity, some to the point of collapse. Although conservation and management of biological diversity are needed to address these changes, the solutions are often controversial. For example, do all species deserve equal protection? Are conservation funds better spent on protecting a rare or endangered species such as the Giant Panda or on establishing protected areas? This lecture will introduce the dynamic and growing field of conservation biology with some examples of controversial issues and interdisciplinary solutions.