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Debating Biodiversity: Threatened Species Conservation and Scientific Values
Author(s) -
Toussaint Yann
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the australian journal of anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.245
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1757-6547
pISSN - 1035-8811
DOI - 10.1111/j.1835-9310.2005.tb00318.x
Subject(s) - threatened species , endangered species , environmental ethics , biodiversity , conservation dependent species , conservation science , conservation biology , environmental resource management , biodiversity conservation , ecology , sociology , environmental planning , geography , near threatened species , biology , habitat , economics , philosophy
This paper explores some aspects of the cultural logic of conservation biology and threatened species `conservation recovery projects from the perspectives of environmental anthropology and science studies. Responses of the scientific community to recent ‘re‐discoveries' of species believed to have become extinct are considered within current decision making models that emphasise landscape scale restoration over single species recovery projects. In particular, this paper considers responses to the proposition that dedicating resources towards recovery projects for critically endangered species is inconsistent with a rational approach to biodiversity conservation. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, I demonstrate that debates over the value of threatened species recovery projects cause many scientists to reflect on the ethical responsibilities and emotional attachments that led them to act as advocates for threatened species.