Maintaining biodiversity, locally and globally, has many benefits. Ecosystems with many species are more stable, because if one species is lost, others can still fill its role in the food web. Wild species also supply resources such as food, timber and medicines, and insects pollinate crops. Ecotourism brings visitors to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Local people earn income from guiding, food and accommodation, so they have a reason to protect the habitat. Too many tourists can damage the habitat, so numbers need controlling.
There are also challenges. Many species cross national borders, so conservation schemes need agreement between governments. This is difficult because countries have different priorities. A poorer country may need land for farming or industry, and countries argue over who should pay for conservation and who should enforce the rules. Local people may lose farmland or hunting rights, so they may oppose a scheme.
Monitoring a scheme is also difficult. Protected areas are often large and remote, so surveying them is expensive. Populations have to be counted for many years before a trend can be seen. Illegal hunters called poachers hide their activity, so laws are hard to enforce.