SUBJECT: RE: Conserving biodiversity with or from humans?
AUTHOR: Kajetan Perzanowski
DATE: 7th April 2003

In reply to question raised by Erling Berge : "To what degree are humans counted as a part of biodiversity?" I would like to point out that at least in contemporary Europe it is almost impossible to find a habitat, landscape, eco-region or any other large scale biological system in pristine condition. In practice all 'natural systems' in this continent have been altered by direct or indirect human influence, of course to various degrees. In many cases human-related transformations have contributed to a higher biodiversity e.g. small scale agriculture will have higher diversity than a plain steppe, or a patchy forest will be more diversified than a closed canopy climax stand. Therefore, when evaluating biodiversity, the human component should always be taken into account.

Regarding the concept of nature protection as a passive 'keeping people away from protected areas' I think that it is already high time to make more common and better use of the concept of Biosphere Reserves where the human component is considered to be an essential component of the system, and the approach to nature conservation differs among particular zones of the Reserve.

A contribution by:
Kajetan PERZANOWSKI
The Carpathian Branch
ICE Polish Academy of Sciences
Belska 24, 38-700 Ustrzyki Dolne