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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

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

Published in

Biodiversity and Conservation
2018, Volume: 27, number: 7, pages: 1741-1762
Publisher: SPRINGER

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
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Swedish Biodiversity Centre


Sustainable Development Goals

SDG15 Life on land


UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary


Publication identifier

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

Permanent link to this page (URI)

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