Final answer:
The project focuses on the developing world because these regions have unique biodiversity at risk, require education in conservation biology for local scientists, and need a nuanced approach to balance cultural preservation with sustainable development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The project "Saving Our Vanishing Heritage" focuses on the developing world in particular for several reasons. One significant reason is that developing countries are especially rich in biodiversity and are key centers of endemism, which means they contain many species that are not found anywhere else. This unique biodiversity is under significant threat from habitat loss and pollution, which are particularly severe in these regions. The developing world faces high rates of habitat loss, making the dissemination of conservation biology knowledge there critical.
Additionally, there is an urgent need to educate a new generation of conservation biologists in the developing world to help them protect their natural resources more effectively. The project seeks to address this by making conservation science information freely available, particularly to those in developing countries. Alongside environmental concerns, the project recognizes the importance of balancing cultural preservation, heritage, and economic development as means to support sustainable livelihoods for local populations, who often live in poverty and may benefit from sustainable development initiatives.
Thus, the emphasis on the developing world considers not only the rich biodiversity but also the complex interplay of economic and cultural factors. The project takes a nuanced approach to conserving natural resources while respecting local communities and exploring new ways for people to coexist sustainably with their environment.