Those dedicated to environmental conservation tasks aim to preserve natural resources and guarantee the well-being of all living beings.
Environmental conservation is the name given to the set of efforts, actions and measures that seek to protect nature . To achieve this, ecosystem preservation and/or restoration strategies are implemented, as well as plans for the protection of biodiversity .
Among the main challenges that those dedicated to caring for the natural environment have long faced are, among other global problems, high levels of pollution , climate change and the loss of biodiversity . Invasive species and deforestation are some causes that explain the drastic decline in flora and fauna specimens evident in different territories.
To obtain positive changes and good results in ecological matters, it is key that solid environmental laws are formulated and applied, that there is sustained work on environmental education , that organizations dedicated to environmental conservation acquire an active role and that both the public sector and From the private sector there is a strong commitment to respect for nature .
Importance of environmental conservation
Taking care of environmental conservation is necessary and relevant in order to ensure ecosystem services . This last notion refers to the elements or natural resources that contribute to the prosperity of the economy, the strengthening of health and achieving a better quality of life. It should be noted that ecosystems fulfill a vital function by functioning as regulators of temperature , each nutrient cycle and climate .
Taking care of the planet and giving value to actions to protect flora and fauna is, in short, demonstrating respect for all forms of life. It is key, for the survival and well-being of humanity and the rest of the species, that more and more people understand the importance of living under sustainability criteria; management and efficient use of natural resources and preservation of natural heritage .
Among the entities and organizations that are firmly committed to nature conservation and the efficient use of natural resources are the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) , Greenpeace and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) , for example. point out the most recognized groups worldwide.
The sustainable management of natural resources, environmental education, sustainable development and ecological restoration are actions that favor the conservation of nature.
Characteristics
Environmental conservation is based on environmental regulations , community participation , international agreements and other actions that focus on caring for the environment .
The intention is to achieve harmony within the landscape , maintain biodiversity and achieve balance at the biotic level. Avoiding or minimizing damage to natural habitats , protecting specimens of endangered species, stimulating the system known as the circular economy and promoting sustainable development favor these objectives.
To achieve positive results in the short, medium and long term, it is vital to design multiple strategies. One of the most effective revolves around protected areas . They are geographically defined territories that serve to control pests and pathologies , help regulate the climate and supply the community with raw materials and other resources .
Environmental awareness campaigns are also useful to positively transform society, investments related to the use and expansion of renewable energies and ecological restoration projects.
It is enriching to know and take into account that the advancement of technology is allowing improvements in the care of the environment and the protection of animals and plants . With artificial intelligence and camera traps , in particular, the environmental monitoring process has benefited significantly. The use of sensors , meanwhile, helps to predict extreme weather phenomena and then be able to take certain precautions thanks to the interpretation of data in real time , while drones are allies of remote monitoring of marine specimens or birds, to detail one possibility.
Reforestation, the fight against pollution and the protection of endangered species are measures that prevent or minimize the loss of biodiversity.
Types of environmental conservation
As can be seen when analyzing both the theory and examples arising from practice, there are different types of environmental conservation . The classification, broadly speaking, depends on the aspect addressed or the modality chosen to preserve nature .
The expression in situ conservation is referred to, for example, to detail the plan for preserving habitats, ecosystems and vulnerable populations without removing the specimens from their natural environments.
The case of so-called ex situ conservation is different, a method that transcends the natural environment of the species to be safeguarded. Nurseries and botanical gardens as management centers for flora and bioparks , national parks and sanctuaries as protection centers for fauna are typical settings for ex situ conservation . Germplasm banks are also covered by this technique.
Depending on the resource or element to be protected, on the other hand, the categories of soil conservation ( crop rotation , compost , etc.), landscape conservation , forest conservation and biodiversity conservation become relevant, to list others by way of example. reference.