Species are most likely conserved by humans if they possess what type of value?

Humans are more likely to conserve species that possess instrumental value because this type of value is derived from the benefits that species provide to humans and the ecosystem. Instrumental value encompasses the practical uses of a species, which can include economic, ecological, and social benefits. For instance, species can provide resources such as food, medicine, and materials, or they can contribute to ecosystem functions that support human life, such as pollination, water purification, and soil stabilization.

When species are recognized for their instrumental value, they may attract conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding these benefits, as their loss could directly impact human well-being and economic stability. This utilitarian approach often resonates more with policymakers and stakeholders, motivating actions to protect these species and their habitats.

In contrast, other types of value, such as aesthetic value, institutional value, and intrinsic value, may contribute to conservation motivations but often do so in more abstract or less immediately impactful ways. Aesthetic value appeals to emotional or visual appreciation of nature, institutional value relates to laws and social agreements regarding protection, and intrinsic value implies the worth of a species independent of human utility, which can be more challenging to convey in terms of direct conservation actions.