biological conservation

views updated May 18 2018

biological conservation Active management to ensure the survival of the maximum diversity of species, and the maintenance of genetic variety within species. The term also implies the maintenance of biosphere functions, e.g. biogeochemical cycling, without which the basic resources for life would be lost. Biological conservation embraces the concept of long-term sustained resource use or sustained yield from the biosphere, which may conflict with species conservation in some circumstances. Conservation of species and biological processes is unlikely to succeed without simultaneous conservation of abiotic resources.

biological conservation

views updated May 14 2018

biological conservation Active management to ensure the survival of the maximum diversity of species, and the maintenance of genetic variety within species. The term also implies the maintenance of biosphere functions, e.g. biogeochemical cycling, without which the basic resources for life would be lost. Biological conservation embraces the concept of long-term sustained resource use or sustained yield from the biosphere, which may conflict with species conservation in some circumstances. Conservation of species and biological processes is unlikely to succeed without simultaneous conservation of abiotic resources.

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biological conservation

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