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Forskningsartikel2018Vetenskapligt granskadÖppen tillgång

Why conserve biodiversity? A multi-national exploration of stakeholders' views on the arguments for biodiversity conservation

Berry, Pam M.; Fabok, Veronika; Blicharska, Malgorzata; Bredin, Yennie K.; Garcia Llorente, Marina; Kovacs, Eszter; Geamana, Nicoleta; Stanciu, Adina; Termansen, Mette; Jaaskelainen, Tiina; Haslett, John R.; Harrison, Paula A.

Sammanfattning

Given the concern about biodiversity loss, there are a number of arguments used for biodiversity conservation ranging from those emphasising the intrinsic value of biodiversity to those on the direct use value of ecosystems. Yet arguing the case for biodiversity conservation effectively requires an understanding of why people value biodiversity. We used Q methodology to explore and understand how different conservation practitioners (social and natural science researchers, environmental non-Governmental organisations and decision-makers) in nine European countries argue for conservation. We found that there was a plurality of views about biodiversity and its conservation. A moral argument and some arguments around the intrinsic and ecological value of biodiversity were held by all stakeholder groups. They also shared the view that species valuation does not justify the destruction of nature. However, there were also some differences within and between the groups, which primarily reflected the espousal of either ecocentric or anthropocentric viewpoints. Our findings suggest that moral arguments and those around biodiversity's intrinsic and ecological value could potentially serve as a starting point for building consensus among conservation practitioners.

Nyckelord

Intrinsic value; Ecological value; Utilitarian value; Ecosystem services; Q-methodology; Conservation practitioners

Publicerad i

Biodiversity and Conservation
2018, volym: 27, nummer: 7, sidor: 1741-1762
Utgivare: SPRINGER

SLU författare

Associerade SLU-program

SLU Centrum för biologisk mångfald, CBM

Globala målen (SDG)

SDG15 Ekosystem och biologisk mångfald

UKÄ forskningsämne

Övrig annan samhällsvetenskap
Ekologi

Publikationens identifierare

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-016-1173-z

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/95439