To 'conserve habitat' for wild species and prevent their
extinction or reduction in range is a priority of a great many groups that cannot be easily characterized in terms of any one
ideology.
The
conservation movement seeks to do this for a variety of reasons including the continuation of recreational
hunting,
fishing,
hiking and
birdwatching.
The
ecology movement seeks to do this since it sees wild species as having the right to exist for their own sake. Since each species competes most intensely with its own kind, they argue, any cessation of competition between humans must be presaged by cessation of competition between humans and other species, and a recognition of their
peaceful coexistence. This goal is shared by some elements of the
peace movement and the
green movement that is the intersection of them both.
The
environmental movement shares some of these motivations, but focuses on human health concerns,
wellness, and the
environmental health impact of disputed
ecosystems that have fallen into poor
ecological health. It is the only movement to be concerned about
natural capital.
Historically, there has been association between conservation movement and
right-wing politics, ecology and peace movement and
green politics, and environmental movement and
left-wing politics,
Over half of the
Earth's land surface has been transformed due to human activity, resulting in drastic
deforestation,
erosion and loss of
topsoil,
extinction and such. Almost no
terrestrial ecoregion, of 867 on Earth, has been spared from the onslaught of human consumption.
The arguments to conserve habitat are now found at every level from local religious figures to
United Nations agencies. It is not really possible to ascribe any particular motivation to those who express this goal. It has become more common to ask who does ''not'' share this goal, and what use they seek to put converted habitat to.
See also
★
mission blue butterfly habitat conservation
★
wildlife crossing
External links
★
The Nature Conservancy - a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving habitat around the world
★
The American Land Conservancy - Founded in 1990, American Land Conservancy is a national non-profit land conservation organization that conserves landscapes for the benefit of people and wildlife.