What is conservation?

Conservation in this context refers to the the care and protection of natural resources (this can include air, minerals, plants, soil, water, and wildlife) so that they can persist for future generations. This can be described as the biodiversity of the planet and maintaining the diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems, as well as functions of the environment, such as nutrient cycling.

'Conservation' is similar but different to 'preservation'. Conservation is dynamic and adjusts to many changes, whereas preservation is when things are kept the same. Both can relate to the protection of nature but they strive to accomplish this task in different ways. Conservation seeks the sustainable use of nature by humans, for activities such as hunting, logging, or mining, while preservation means protecting nature from human use.

Continued human population growth has led to unsustainable rates of consumption of our natural resources, resulting in a loss of Earth’s biodiversity. The main factors driving biodiversity loss include habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, overexploitation (including hunting), and pollution.

Declining biodiversity can lead to species extinction. While extinction is a normal process of nature, the rate at which it is happening today is not natural. Scientists estimate that current extinction rates are about a thousand times higher now than would be expected based on the fossil record, and that we are entering the next a mass extinction event, which is when 75% or more species are lost at a time and we, as humans, are the main cause of this decline. 

We can all play a part in reversing this decline with the decisions we make, the things we buy, the food we eat and the habits we have. Some people, like the dedicated people working in zoos and conservation, are at the front line of conservation, saving specific places and wildlife directly. 

Check out what RZSS is doing to help conservation locally and internationally

There are many different types of conservation jobs, what would you like to do? Check out this website for learn more about the different conservation careers.