by Kent H. Redford and Brian Richter

About the authors: Kent H. Redford works for the International Program of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Brian Richter is a hydrologist for the Nature Conservancy.

Over the last decade biodiversity conservation has become an objective of international conventions, national governments, state agencies, non-governmental organizations, local communities, school clubs, and individuals. Unfortunately, while becoming a common objective, the true meaning of biodiversity conservation has been pulled from its roots in the biological sciences, becoming a political concept with as many meanings as it has advocates. This confusion of meanings can frustrate efforts to mobilize conservation action, because successful conservation relies on clear goals laid out with specific and commonly understood definitions and assumptions.

Of the many confusing concepts associated with biodiversity conservation, few demand...