What do we need to know to preserve species?

Abstract: Our planet is facing the largest loss of biodiversity since the extinction of dinosaurs (Chiante, 2016). This great loss will affect our ecosystems which in turn means that humankind and our needs are affected. It is therefore important to know what factors affect the allocation of resources between species. In the future this will decide how the conservation work for different species will turn out. This thesis investigates how studying different subjects at university affects the allocation of resources on species. In the study natural and social science students were compared with each other. The study was built upon three different questionnaires with three presented species. Each species with different attributes regarding market-based economical value and grade of extinction. The results showed that education matters. A species with a high market-based economical value and low grade of extinction got more resources from social science students. Natural science students distribute their resources more equally over the three species. This correspond with previous research in related fields. This might be because the students have a different approach of how environmental problems are to be solved. In order to increase the environmental knowledge and the willingness to prioritize species conservation based on ethical rather than economical reasons is it crucial to incorporate environmental education in every education program.