Katherine Bertram

Conservation Biology

Professor Valdez

24 November 2019

The Land Ethic

In ​The Land Ethic, L

​ eopold describes his beliefs about the land ethic and both

the ecological system as well as human’s role in it. The first important point that Leopold

made in the article regarded the role of humans in the natural world. Simply put, the

land ethic describes how humans role needs to change from conqueror to community

members. This includes seeing all parts of a biological community with equal

importance. All individuals within a biological community are necessary in keeping that

community healthy and in order. The second important point made by Leopold regards

how humans have made land into an economic asset instead of viewing it as an

ecological necessity. This mindset causes conservation efforts to move slowly and

destruction of biological communities because they are seen as non-profitable. The

Third important point made in the article described the importance of the land pyramid.

The system that makes up the land pyramid is complex and ever changing through

evolution. Evolution is a slow process which allows the circuit that makes up the

pyramid to adjust over time. However, Leopold describes how humans are changing the

circuit too quickly for the pyramid to adjust back to its full complexity and capacity. This
has no doubt worsened since Leopold wrote T
​ he Land Ethic​ and will continue to worsen

without proper conservation efforts.

I would define my own conservation beliefs similar to the beliefs described within

The Land Ethic​. I tend to view all parts of the world as one system all working together

as well as all parts equally with intrinsic value. I believe the role of humans as conqueror

is destructive. I agree with Leopold’s statement that, “A thing is right when it tends to

preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it

tends otherwise”. The statement does not suggest that the integrity of the biotic

community supersedes the concern for its individual, it is instead including the individual

member as a part of the biotic community. This implicates that all individual members of

a biological community as well as the biological community itself are all equal in

importance. This also implicates humans as equal within the biological community.

Leopold’s statement,​ ​“The land-relation is still strictly economic, entailing

privileges but not obligations” still holds true in today's world. Society today still views

necessities in our ecological system as economical advantages, disregarding the biota

for profit. The biota is not expendable or replaceable, instead it is our most valuable

resource. Yet, we humans have distanced ourselves from that reality and view our

natural world only through the lens of an economical perspective, seeing only price

tags. Conservation efforts have become increasingly more prevalent in today's world.

However, it sometimes seems as though our voices are not being heard over the sound

of the government and big corporation’s hunger for economic profit. In society, we must
extend sensibilities to all parts within that community, which would implicate having a

better understanding of everything that makes my community what it is. This would

extend to all living and nonliving aspects as well. Not only would an understanding of

my community help me extend my own sensibilities, but also having an understanding

of what might threaten all parts of my community would help me extend that as well.

Ethical relationships with land must coexist alongside love and respect for that

land, as Leopold stated. When looking at factors such as aesthetics and duty, there is

no factor for me that motivates me more than the other. I personally feel as though

motivation through duty is just as important as being motivated by my admiration and

regard to the aesthetics of the biological community and ecosystems. My own land ethic

tends to emanate from self interest. This includes my hope that by seeing the land as

equal will help preserve the aesthetics of the land around me. I do have a true interest

in non-human elements. I know that the role of humans as conqueror has caused

destruction and that all parts of the biological community are paying for it. As much as I

want to say that I am not selfish when it comes to my own land ethic, I know that parts

of my ethic stem from my own self interest.

Reading T
​ he Land Ethic m
​ ade me further consider my own ethics and

motivations when it comes to conservation. I agreed with everything that Leopold stated

within the article but also feel as though there is more research and thought that I want

to put into ethic when it comes to my thoughts on conservation. I feel as though my

opinion still remains the same, yet I also feel like T

​ he Land Ethic​ helped me think more
critically about conservation and how we as humans have dealt with our biological

community in the past and today. My favorite section in the article was how every part of

the ecological world is equally important to make the ecological circuit of life work. I also

like how Leopold in a sense called out those motivated by money when it comes to

conservation. This exercise was not only useful to me in order to help me think more

critically about my own beliefs but also for others to think critically who might not have

the same beliefs about conservation.