Biodiversity

1 Pages 270 Words

Is Biodiversity Overprotected.” David N. Laband and E.O. Wilson. 2001. Issue 2.

This article covered both sides of the argument over protection of biodiversity. Laband supports the claim that biodiversity is in fact overprotected while Wilson argues that it is not. Laband’s major argument is that the cost of biodiversity protection is placed unfairly on landowners by those living in urban areas. Wilson explains that the two things that need to be done to help maintain biodiversity are to preserve “hotspots” as well as increase education in the media and social sciences in the area of conservation biology.
The major strength was that the article covered two differing points of view which gave it balance. It was good to have more than one opinion. This though was also the biggest weakness because the two sides, while being different, did not speak directly too each other. Laband discussed unfair cost responsibility while Wilson talked about conservation in much broader terms such as education. I liked the reading because it highlighted the two things that I agree with as being the most important aspects of conservation. I agreed with parts of both arguments but would say that I agree with E.O. Wilson a bit more.
I think this reading was assigned because it is a very good introduction to some of the fundamental issues that we face when we look at the issue of conservation of biodiversity. It showed how a lot of factors go into a certain issue and why its never a simple task of figuring out what is the best path to take....