Through the overexploitation and destruction of ecosystems, we are dramatically reducing the number of animal and plant species on our planet. But how can we argue meaningfully for the preservation of biological diversity? What motivational resources could environmental ethics provide for the protection of biodiversity? Are species and ecosystems only valuable to us humans, or do they hold intrinsic value? Andreas Hetzel provides answers to these questions and advocates for a mandate to respect natural diversity beyond contingent human interests in specific aspects of biodiversity.