Shepherding Nature

With stories about species on the brink, this book explores the causes and consequences of conservation reliance and its implications.

Those concerned about the future of imperiled species will appreciate the compelling case studies and explanations this book offers. Readers will gain an understanding of the challenge of conserving a growing number of conservation-reliant species with limited resources and the importance of collaboration among people with diverse interests.Globally, more and more species are at risk of extinction as the environment and climate change. Many of these species require long-term management to persist - they are conservation-reliant. The magnitude of this challenge requires a rethinking of how conservation priorities are determined and a broader societal commitment to conservation. Choices need to be made about which species will be conserved, for how long, and by whom. This volume uses case studies and essays by conservation practitioners from throughout the world to explore what conservation reliance is and what it means for endangered-species management. Chapters consider threats to species and how they are addressed, legal frameworks for protecting endangered species, societal contexts and conflicts over conservation goals, and how including conservation reliance can strengthen methods for prioritizing species for conservation. The book concludes by discussing how shepherding nature requires an evaluation of societal values and ethics.