THE LIMITS IN CURRENT BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Abstract

We are living during the most diverse period in the history of Earth's life and evolution. Approximately 1.75 million species have been described, and best estimates show on the total number of species range from 8 to 9 million. Meanwhile, current extinction rates are calculated to be 100 to 1000 times higher than ever recorded, without taking into account all the underestimates in the evaluation process. A mass extinction at this moment would devastate the earth's diversity at a level that is impossible to predict. Human activity is the only true cause behind this crisis, thus are responsible for halting the extinction trend. Non-representative numbers of threatened species and biased concepts towards common species or pristine ecosystems in conservation trend have limited the protection range, and reduced the speed and efficiency of conservation. In this review, these limitations are examined, and new conservation approaches are suggested, such as preserving biological diversity in human-managed landscapes (as in the study cases in Laos and northeast Thailand). To conclude, only a comprehensive strategy, with simultaneous approaches in all levels of diversity will lead to conservation success, and restrict the sixth mass extinction event.