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Conservation biology has three goals: (a) to document Earth’s biological diversity; (b) to investigate how humans influence species, evolution, and ecosystem processes; and (c) to investigate approaches to protect and restore biological communities, maintain genetic diversity, and prevent the extinction of species.
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Because conservation is multidisciplinary and requires a deep understanding of natural processes and human society, conservation biologists must take on multiple roles. Specifically, conservation biologists, as a group, must be curious, good communicators, effective educators, law-abiding citizens, and effective managers and practitioners of conservation projects.
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Conservation biology relies on scientific evidence and ethical principles that underpins the preservation of biodiversity. Conservation biologists generally agree that biodiversity should be preserved, untimely extinctions should be prevented, ecological complexity should be maintained, evolution should continue, and biodiversity has intrinsic value.
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Science provides conservation biologists with useful tools that guide the setting of clear, achievable, and measurable goals, to monitor conservation actions to assess whether goals have been met, and to communicate in a clear and unbiased manner.
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Environmental ethics appeals to people of different walks to life to preserve biodiversity. It holds that biodiversity must also be protected because human well-being and economic opportunities are linked to a healthy environment.