Ecologically informed values of Biodiversity for Conservation and Restora - tion

A list of “ecologically informed values” of biodiversity is introduced. These aspects have rarely been the object of normative treatments. Ecologists introduced these scientific concepts as “values”, even though they are based on factual information only. Thus, ecological evaluation often remains implicit or personal. Besides diversity also complementarity, rarity, threat, irreplaceability, and representativeness may be, after specification, used for ecologically informed evaluation of biodiversity. Three entities (a species, an ecosystem, an individual) are evaluated according to the scheme developed in the preceding. For all entities instrumental, eudaemonic and moral values can be described in monetary and nonmonetary terms. It becomes obvious that the diversity arguments advanced in ecologically informed language do not fit well into these categories. A context free evaluation of biodiversity cannot be carried out. Even if the value of nature and biotic goods as resources are accepted, no absolute value of biodiversity can be hold. Neither total diversity nor the spatial pattern of diversity on earth deserves any categorial protection. It is concluded that, first, the classification of values has to be improved. This can be done, second, by integrating recent ecological concepts into an advanced value concept. Ultimately, the value of biodiversity can only be the result, not the prerequisite, of an informed evaluation process.