An evolutionary conception of nature conservation

Reading the book of Otto Frankel and Michael Soulé "Conservation and Evolution" (1981), I became
convinced that the conservation of nature could not be "fixist", that is, to seek to freeze nature In a
supposed "ideal" state. I affirmed this position in my contribution to the article "Ecology" of the
Encyclopedia Universalis (Publication73). Furthermore, in 2011, by defining eco-complex as a set of
interactive ecosystems from a common natural and human history, I affirmed my conviction that humans
are "in nature" and guide their evolution. In the background, it was the idea that there is not "pure nature"
on one side, and Nature "degraded" by the man on the other, a question I have taken up again Later with
the philosopher Donato Bergandi (Publications 162, 163, 175). My work on biological indicators was an
opportunity to highlight two objectives: maintaining the self-regulation capacities of ecological systems
and preserving their evolving potential. Referring to this second objective, I wrote: "The second objective
broadens the long-term perspective by demanding that the adaptive capacity and therefore the change of
species and ecological systems be preserved. Undoubtedly scientific considerations already justify this
orientation, but there are also ethical considerations. As FRANKEL and SOULÉ (1981) point out, men
have a responsibility for the continuation of the evolutionary process. ". In 2016, the committee organizing
the report on the Danube delta entrusted me with the scientific responsibility of the theme "Man-Nature
Relations", which was to be treated in the Great Evolution Gallery. The definitive title that was chosen:
"Man, factor of evolution", illustrates well the dynamic perspective in which the interdisciplinary team that
we had constituted was placed. In addition, I had seized the neologism "biodiversity", following the
publication of the book "Biodiversity" in 1988: I had oriented the subject of the exhibition on the issue of
the becoming and management of biodiversity.

In addition, the interdisciplinary research I conducted on the fate of woodland islands - and their
biodiversity - in an intensive farming plot reinforced this dynamic perspective, highlighting the trajectory of
ecological systems and their diversity. These experiences led me to conceive the conservation of nature
as a management, a "steering" of the ecological systems with the objective of their sustainable
adaptability, which passes through a diversity as high as possible.

Sustainable Adaptability

An evolutionary approach to nature conservation focuses on conserving the potential for adaptation of species and
ecological systems. In a collective book on the issues of sustainable development (under the direction of Patrick
Matagne, L'Harmattan, 2005), I put forward the idea of "sustainable adaptability", meaning that it is essential to
preserve The long-term adaptability of living beings (Publication 190). I developed this approach, explaining its
foundations, in an interview published in the first issue of the new magazine "Really Sustainable", highlighting the
ethical issue of maintaining or even increasing the adaptability of living.

The ethical dimension

In 2014, I enrolled in the "Entretiens Ecologiques de Dijon", an association created by Georges Tendron (Assistant
Director of the Museum, Director of the Nature Conservation Service) and Robert Poujade. I participated in the
reflection group "Ecology, Ethics and Spirituality. I was thus sensitized to the ethical dimension of ecological
problems, stressing it, without going further, in various writings, over the years.
The design work on the theme "Evolution of the state of the environment", the documentary I edited, later "Nature
Treasures" and the design of the temporary exhibition "Nature vive" Of which I shared the scientific commission
with a journalist from france2, all this contributed to the construction of my ideas on the relations of humans with
nature, especially since I was associated, from 2016, To a team of anthropologists and, associated with the CNRS
under the title "Appropriation and socialization of nature" (APSONAT).
In 2016, in preparation for the International Environmental Film Festival, I gave a lecture at the General
Council of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests on "Ecology and evolution: the responsibilities of men" ,
Where I highlighted the ethical dimension of nature conservation affirmed also in 2014, illustrating the
themes. It was not until 2015, however, that I began to reflect on the need for an evolutionary ethic. I have
pursued it in various publications (Publications, 190, 211), and I have expressed it In 2015 in
"Biodiversity, the future of life". Since then, I have presented it on various occasions, including at
conferences. As well as in new publications, stressing that the future of biodiversity is a major ethical
issue. At the same time, within the framework of the EEST, I was at the origin of a process which was
realized in 2015 by the adoption by EEST of the Biosphere Ethics Initiative (EIB) Of the Biosphere (IEB),
an approach aimed at developing ethical reflection within the Union, based on values and principles
offered for discussion. The IEB has in particular influenced the drafting of the preamble of the new
National Strategy for Biodiversity ", adopted in May 2011