The History and Distinctions of Conservation Biology

Conservation biology emerged in the 1970s and 1980s from older, more established applied biological sciences in response to increasing rates of extinction and threats to global biodiversity. Described as “a science of scarcity and abundance” applying biological principles to prevent the extinction of species, conservation biology grew rapidly in membership and influence following its inception. Foundational ideas of conservation are much older, drawn from philosophical and religious traditions emphasizing the intrinsic value of nature. Manifested historically as expression of privilege, nature appreciation, and preservation of landscape, conservation biology today is moving away from the idea of protecting nature from people to protecting nature for people, as extractive reserves, integrated development, and rights of indigenous people have become increasingly emphasized in and integral to conservation effort.