Questioning the Percept of the conservation and preservation theory
Conservation Theory
This
ideally, talks about the general large sphere maintenance of native biota,
resources of nature and the natural ecosystem processes as major primary
management objectives. Thus this theory looks at a scenario where nature’s resources
and the environment as a whole is being utilized without setting up a malaise
for future generation which basically is the complete idea of sustainable
development. Proponents of this witty theory include the likes of Gifford
Pinchot, Teddy Roosevelt Wilson and Peter whose write ups have contributed
immensely to the concept of conservation.
In truth, the critical nature of the state of the natural
environment is, in large part, unknown. Although not known with precision,
estimates suggest that species extinction may be occurring at a rate that is
two to three orders of magnitude greater than that recorded in recent geologic
time (Lawton and May 1995), thus signifying and mapping the need for
conservation purpose and activities as an intrinsic instance for sustainable
development to be realized.
Conservation simply implies a wise use or harness of natural
resources and practically involves a maintaining culture of the environment
seeking to curtail the rate of environmental degradation, pollution and other
deleterious actions and activities, i.e. it is more concern with economic
justice and democracy in handling of resources than with the prevention of
waste. A look at the conservationist view point vividly enunciates a pure concept
of conservation as a tool for sustainable development; they are:
1. Earth belongs to all people, i.e. not only to the rich or
elitist.
2. Bible evaluates humans above all other life forms.
3. We can improve upon wilderness.
4. Public good and benefit must come first.
Preservation Theory
The
preservation theory clearly articulates a nonuse principle on nature on the
basis of the intrinsic or inherent value of nature or the environmental
resources has to itself. Thus in the light of their theory, several view point
strongly affirming the idea of preservation were pointed out as they consider
the world an entity serving itself.
1. The world is not made for man.
2. It is a world that is
useful to itself, not man.
3. Man is only a
component of the unit of creation.
4. Wilderness is a
necessity and a “fountain of life”.
Preservation
Concept
Preservation is the strict setting aside of natural
resources to prevent the use or contact by humans or by human intervention. In
terms of policy making this often means setting aside areas as nature reserves
(otherwise known as wildlife reserves), parks, or other conservation areas.
These areas usually restrict or prohibit activities that may cause damage to
habitat for wildlife. Such activities may include: logging, hunting, fishing,
mining and so on.
Just as often legal devices such as laws and regulations may
be employed, such as the Endangered Species Act in the United States, which is
not dependent on designating a specific geographic area aside for conservation.
A government's environmental policy will determine which areas or species, etc.
are protected and how. Environmental preservation is different from
conservation; conservation allows for sustainable development, whereas
preservation is the complete restriction.
A prominent preservationist John Muir in the concept of the
preservation theory clearly articulates that nature has an inherent right after
his explicit study on the geological and ecological sphere of nature’s
ecosystem. In the limelight of these basic percepts and values of the
preservation theory, the preservationist clearly buttresses the non-use value
of the environment and its resources establishing the fact that the environment
should be kept in a pristine condition solely for the purpose of preservation.
By evidence of these values of the preservation theory, it can be witty said
that preservation is a strict theory with strict but lofty policies on the
non-use principle of nature’s resources thus has no contribution towards
sustainable development.
A Tabular Difference
between Preservation Theory and Conservation Theory
|
PRESERVATION
THEORY
|
CONSERVATION
THEORY
|
|
1.
Nature’s
truth and right must prevail. A value to itself.
|
Nature
and the environmental resources exist for a purpose of value and good to man.
|
|
2.
Nature
is a sacred place. Hence it is only useful o itself.
|
Man
is part of the environment and must therefore harness its resources. Thus
useful to man.
|
|
3.
Completely
restrict usage of nature’s and environmental resources.
|
A
wise use of nature’s resources or environmental resources.
|
|
4.
Leave
nature and the environment unimpaired for future generation. Untouched and a
pristine environment for the successive generation.
|
Utilize
the environments and nature resources without compromising the availability
of these resources for future generation. Sustainable development.
|
|
5.
Nature
resources both renewable and non-renewable should not be touched or
exploited.
|
Safe
guard for preservation of non-renewable resources in the light of sustainable
development.
|
References
Allen, T.F.H., and T.B.
Starr. 1982. Hierarchy Perspective for Ecological Complexity. University of
Chicago Press, Chicago.
Andelman, S.J., W.F. Fagan.
2000. Umbrellas and flagships: Efficient conservation surrogates or expensive
mistakes? Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 97(11): 5954-5959.
Andrewartha, H. G., and L.
C. Birch. 1954. The Distribution and Abundance of Animals. The University of
Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois.
Bailey, R. G. 1987.
Suggested hierarchy of criteria for multiscale ecosystem mapping. Urb. Reg. Plan. 14:313-319.
Bestelmeyer, B.T., J.R.
Miller, and J. A. Wiens. 2003. Applying species diversity theory to land
management. Eco. App. 13:1750-1761.
Boersma, P.D., Kareiva, P.,
Fagan, W.F., Clark, J.A., and J.M. Hoekstra. 2001. How good are endangered
species recovery plans? Bioscience 51(8): 643-649.
Bolen,
E.G. and W.L. Robinson. 1995. Wildlife Ecology and Management. 3rd Edition.
Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. 620 pp.
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