Conservation is the maintenance of biodiversity through active management of ecosystems, while still allowing humans to use natural resources sustainably. It is a dynamic process: ecosystems are managed and, where damaged, restored (reclamation).Conservation methods include:• protecting habitats in nature reserves, national parks and marine protected areas
• managing succession (for example grazing or coppicing) to keep habitats with high biodiversity
• controlling or removing invasive species
• captive breeding and reintroduction programmes, and seed banks
• legislation and international agreements such as CITES, which controls trade in endangered species
• paying farmers and landowners to manage land for wildlife.There are three types of reason for conservation:Economic: ecosystems provide resources that can be sold, such as timber, food, fibres and medicines (many drugs come from plants). They also provide ecosystem services, such as pollination of crops, clean water, flood control and soil formation, and bring income from ecotourism.Social: natural environments provide recreation, enjoyment and education, and benefit mental and physical health. Many cultures value species and landscapes.Ethical: many people believe every species has a right to exist, and that humans have a moral responsibility to protect other organisms and to leave a biodiverse planet for future generations.Conservation also helps limit climate change, because forests, oceans and peat bogs act as carbon sinks.
• managing succession (for example grazing or coppicing) to keep habitats with high biodiversity
• controlling or removing invasive species
• captive breeding and reintroduction programmes, and seed banks
• legislation and international agreements such as CITES, which controls trade in endangered species
• paying farmers and landowners to manage land for wildlife.There are three types of reason for conservation:Economic: ecosystems provide resources that can be sold, such as timber, food, fibres and medicines (many drugs come from plants). They also provide ecosystem services, such as pollination of crops, clean water, flood control and soil formation, and bring income from ecotourism.Social: natural environments provide recreation, enjoyment and education, and benefit mental and physical health. Many cultures value species and landscapes.Ethical: many people believe every species has a right to exist, and that humans have a moral responsibility to protect other organisms and to leave a biodiverse planet for future generations.Conservation also helps limit climate change, because forests, oceans and peat bogs act as carbon sinks.