CONSERVATION OF ARABIAN GAZELLES - Nwrc.gov.sa

4. The Relationship Between Taxonomy and Conservation
Douglas Williamson
Abstract: Two conclusions that can validly be drawn from the history and current status of
ttuonomy are that:
1) There is no single, unifying purpose to current taxonomic activities;
2) Because of differing objectives and criteria for classification it is essential to consider
whether existing taxa have been delimited in Q way which is relevant to conservation.
II is also essential to understand that there is often a lack of congruence between the methods of
ltUOIIomists and the needs ofconservationists.
Although modem DNA technology offers objective and relevant criteria for classification, it
Isfarfrom being a panacea for all taxonomic problems and it is likely that conservationists will have
/D live with taxonomic uncertainty for a long time yet.
Prerequisites for dealin g with taxonomic uncertainty include a clear understanding and
I1l1icuiation ofthe purposes of conservation in general and of individual projects in particular and a
eommitmentto focusing activities on achie vable goals.
leywords: taxonomy, conservation, reintroduction
latrodUCtiOD
Allempts by conservationists to base practical programmes on existing taXonomic divisions have
raised doubts about the latter's importance and utility (e.g. USFWS, 1991). This paper explores the
Dllees of these doubts and proposes an approach for dealing with them. The argument developed in
dUs paper rests on the following propositions:
I) The traditional approach to taxonomy - based on the tYPological or essentialist concept of
a species - is flawed from the point of view of conservation because the criteria used for
the delimitation of species are subjectively chosen and no distinction is made between
genetic and environmental effects;
2) The results of classification depend on the purpose with which it is undertaken;
3) From the plethora of existing species concepts it is clear that no single purpose for
systematics exists;
4) Since purpose influences the results of classification it is essential for conservationists to
be clear about their own purposes before they attempt to make decisions about the utility
of existing classifications and about the levels of variability that can feasibly be protected.
On the basis of these propositions an approach to dealing with taxonomic issues is discussed.
The discussion does nothing more than illustrate the approach. Treatment of the issues raised is
oeither comprehensive nor definitive because a comprehensive treatment would require a book and a
definitive understanding of the issues remains a distant goal.
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