Abstract

There are numerous strategies to reverse biodiversity decline, ranging from economic, through ecological, to ethical ones. Which arguments are used in the conservation may have bearing on the actual implementation of biodiversity policies. To understand conservation professionals' perceptions of biodiversity is particularly important in the countries in transition, where the new environmental policies are being implemented, the approaches to governance are changing and new biodiversity discourses are emerging. This study investigates what the biodiversity conservation professionals in Poland believe the rationale behind conservation is. We reveal two main perspectives - one focused on intrinsic value of biodiversity and one underlining its utilitarian value. Even if the intrinsic value perspective prevails, the economic framing of biodiversity value is emerging. This framing is important in the face of the ongoing changes in Poland with focus on economic development and relatively little attention paid to biodiversity. The utilitarian approach to conservation, reinforced by the concept of ecosystem services, can be used to supplement the emerging biodiversity discourse strengthening the conservation case. The richness of perspectives among the conservation professionals can facilitate deliberate construction of the new conservation discourse in Poland combining the notion of intrinsic value of nature with the utilitarian approach.

Keywords

biodiversity professionals; ecosystem services; intrinsic value; perceptions; utilitarian value

Published in

International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services and Management
2015, Volume: 11, number: 4, pages: 349-362

SLU Authors

• Blicharska, Malgorzata

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Grandin, Ulf

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Swedish Biodiversity Centre


Sustainable Development Goals

SDG15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


UKÄ Subject classification

Public Administration Studies
Environmental Sciences


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2015.1050969

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/68923