In situ and ex situ conservation: philosophical and ethical concerns
Date
2004
Authors
Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, author
Island Press, publisher
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Abstract
Understandings of "natural" and "artificial" lie in the background of discussions about in-situ and ex-situ conservation. Plants growing ex-situ in botanic gardens are hybrids of the natural and the artificial. There will be temptations to substitute ex-situ for in situ conservation, believing this to protect the desired resource base. The intrinsic values in plants are ecosystemically situated. In this sense intrinsic plant value is in-situ. Removed to an ex-situ location, a plant--especially a domesticated or captive plant--becomes something else, compromised in its integrity. Such compromise may be pragmatically and politically necessary, but it needs to be recognized philosophically and ethically as prejudicing the values carried by plants.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 38-39).
Rights Access
Subject
ecosystems
nature
conservation
wild
plants