Conservation biology, or conservation ecology, is the science of analyzing and protecting Earth's biological diversity. Conservation biology draws from the biological, physical and social sciences, economics, and the practice of natural-resource management. Conservation ecology addresses population dynamics issues associated with the small population sizes of rare species (e.g., minimum viable populations). The term "conservation biology" refers to the application of science to the conservation of genes, populations, species, and ecosystems. Conservation biology is the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biological diversity. For the history of biodiversity conservation and volunteer activity, see conservation movement.
In the 19th century actions in the United Kingdom, the United States and certain other western countries emphasized the protection of habitat areas pursuant to visions of such people as John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt. It was not until the mid 20th century did efforts arise to target individual species for conservation, notably efforts in big cat conservation in South America led by the New York Zoological Society. along with Biodiversity Action Plans developed in Australia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, hundreds of specific species protection plans ensued. The Society for Conservation Biology is a global community of conservation professionals dedicated to advancing the science and practice of conserving Earth's biological diversity.

Threats to biological diversity
See also: Benefits of biodiversity
Biologist Bruce Walsh of the University of Arizona states three reasons for scientific interest in the preservation of species; genetic or medical resources,

History

Biodiversity
Endangered species
Environmentalism
Ex-situ conservation
Extinction
Gene pool
Genetic Pollution
Genetic Erosion
Habitat fragmentation
Holocene Mass Extinction
In-situ conservation
IUCN Red List
List of conservation topics
Natural history
Regional Red List
Society for Conservation Biology
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife management
Wildlife
World Conservation Monitoring Centre See also

By 2050 Warming to Doom Million Species, Study Says Notes

Textbooks

Conservation Biology, peer-reviewed journal.
Conservation, quarterly magazine published by the Society for Conservation Biology.