conservation for its own sake may be regarded as just another human 
conceit, and one which, although preceived as admirable, may be totally out 
of step with nature.

Conservation, or preservation, takes many forms, oddly enough. Some folks seem to try to envision conservation as a condition which must be defended against all comers. This condition is conceptualized based on some Edenic past or snapshot in time. 

Nature isn't like that at all, but changes constantly, as you say. Invasions, extinctions, etc. are all natural. I think that what should be sought is a maximum of diversity so that as far as possible, the habitat can develop as naturally as possible. 

This does not necessarily mean ruthlessly rooting out non-natives or imposing some sort of arbitrary "species correctness". After all, most plants and animals in one place came from somewhere else, etc. Ideally, conservation would be simply getting out of The Way.

PLB

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