Norms of Species Translocation 50 Years After the Ethic of Organic Diversity

Abstract

ABSTRACT From island biogeography theory, the ethic of organic diversity was posited as a precept to guide applied biogeography. It states that humanity must act in such a way as to reduce the rate of worldwide species extinction for an indefinite period of time. Almost 50 years later, the ethic of organic diversity remains relevant in the context of the debate over species translocation practices. Ultimately, matters of biodiversity conservation are too complex to expect an exceptionless moral framework to determine whether species translocation is acceptable in every situation. Instead, individual cases should be judged based on the adequacy of their decision-making processes.