If so, then why should we be concerned with the impact we exert upon the biosphere? Aren't we simply demonstrating our natural ability to compete with all the other animals in the biosphere - and thereby simply doing what Mother Nature intended for us? Aren't we simply demonstrating our abilities as super-efficient natural competitors?

If we are not simply another animal within the biosphere, then don't we have the right - perhaps even the obligation - to manage nature as carefully and skillfully as we can?

Because human population has grown so dramatically during the last century, the forests of Asia have shrunk by more than 80%. Furthermore, what is left is most often fragmented and severely degraded; tiger prey species are hunted and often compete for fodder with livestock. Cities, villages and farms bring people in close proximity to the tigers, resulting in conflicts where the loser is inevitably the big cat. In order for the tigers to survive, they must live in reserves or parks where their environment is carefully managed.

Regardless of one's beliefs, there is no question that the interaction between human beings and the rest of the biosphere involves matters of choice. Some choices can lead to much more efficient and less wasteful utilization of the resources within the biosphere. The analysis and implementation of these choices depends upon issues of management.

Primary among the management techniques often put forward by conservation efforts is something called "protectionism." Essentially, this means keeping humans out of a particular area. That's very good for the natural progress of the indigenous flora and fauna, but potentially unsatisfactory for people in the surrounding areas who might otherwise benefit from exploiting the natural resources.

Another option involves allowing people to participate in the natural progress of an area, so long as they do not harm the long-term rejuvenation potential of any given resource within the area. Aspects of this type of management are often referred to as "sustainable use."

A more radical approach involves the belief that all the plants and animals on the earth have been placed here by a higher power, specifically for the use of humankind. There should therefore be no restrictions at all upon the means through which humans choose to utilize those resources.

Regardless of which of these three approaches - or any combinations thereof - is selected for implementation, all involve aspects of "managing" the natural world. As human beings infiltrate and affect more and more of the biosphere, we are faced with a requirement to make choices of some kind. One way or another, for either good or bad, our intrusion into the biosphere now requires decisions of management