Biodiversity conservation: choice or chance?

In reply to the issue of whether it is justified to "select certain elements of biodiversity to conserve" unfortunately we have to make choices and set targets, i.e. how we exploit biodiversity and/or how we allocate resources to the conservation of biodiversity. Whether we state this openly or not our actions can be related to priorities.

Scientists should provide relevant information to help politicians and other decision makers to allocate resources that optimise the effects on biodiversity conservation. I think this is the background to the message by Jari Niemela. However, on a more basic and ethical level of course Martin Sharman is correct!

A contribution by:

Tor-Bjorn Larsson
European Environment Agency