Species-centric

Species-centric refers to a perspective, viewpoint, or approach that prioritizes the needs, interests, and welfare of a particular species above those of other species or the environment as a whole. It often involves anthropocentric biases, even if not explicitly human-focused, and can lead to policies, practices, or ethical considerations that favor one species at the expense of others or the broader ecosystem. This perspective typically disregards the interconnectedness of species and their roles in biodiversity, leading to potential ecological imbalances and the neglect of conservation efforts for other organisms. Decisions made with a species-centric lens can sometimes be shortsighted, ignoring long-term consequences for overall environmental health.

Species-centric meaning with examples

• The agricultural practices employed a species-centric approach, prioritizing the growth of a single crop species, leading to soil degradation and the decline of pollinator populations. Intensive farming practices, focused solely on maximizing yield for one species, negatively impacted the surrounding ecosystem, illustrating the problems of neglecting broader biodiversity.
• Conservation efforts for the giant panda are often perceived as species-centric. Significant resources are allocated to panda preservation, potentially diverting funds from protecting other endangered species or safeguarding broader habitats, resulting in difficult choices for funding.
• Animal welfare legislation in the pet industry can sometimes inadvertently be species-centric. Laws often prioritize the health and safety of a single animal, the family dog, potentially overlooking the needs of shelter animals or the impacts of the pet industry on other wildlife, highlighting difficult choices.
• Medical research frequently exhibits a species-centric bias when testing new medications, especially for human use. Early trials often focus on the effects on laboratory animals, potentially overlooking or devaluing the suffering of the animal species used in research while seeking benefits for only one species.
• The construction of a new highway through a pristine forest demonstrates a species-centric decision. Prioritizing the needs of human transportation over the preservation of habitat for numerous plant and animal species exemplifies a disregard for the broader environmental impact.