Conservation-of-Biodiversity

Conservation of Biodiversity – Types, & Methods of Conservation (In-situ, Ex-situ)

Conservation of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is being diminished by the loss of habitat, fragmentation of the environment, overexploitation of resources, human-sponsored environments, climatic changes, contamination, invasive alien species, diseases, shifting cultivation, poaching of wildlife, etc.

Since humans are enjoying all the benefits from biodiversity, they ought to take appropriate care of the preservation of biodiversity in all its forms and good health for future generations i.e., the human being must avoid the deterioration and destruction of the habitats thereby preserving the biodiversity at its optimum level.

Conservation of biodiversity is the protection, upliftment, and scientific management of biodiversity to preserve it at its threshold level and derive sustainable benefits for the present and future generations. Simply put, the conservation of biodiversity is the proper management of the biosphere by humans in such a way that it provides maximum advantages for the present generation and likewise establishes its potential so regarding fulfilling the requirements of future generations.

Primarily the conservation of biodiversity has three basic objectives:

  • (a) To maintain important ecological processes and life-supporting systems.
  • (b) To protect the variety of species.
  • (c) To make sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems.
Types of Biodiversity Conservation
1.Genetic Diversity

Genetic variety incorporates all the variety of different genetic information included in animals, bacteria, and plants. A single species of organisms with varied genetic variety depicts more flexibility and survival system against adverse environmental conditions compared to organisms of a single species with the exact same genetics.

2.Species Variety

Species variety describes the range of organisms in the environment. Taxonomic diversity (TD) is the genetic relationship that exists between different groups of species. This type of diversity is represented using a hierarchical category based upon the phylogenetic evolution of different species of organisms.

3.Ecosystem Diversity

It is reasonably comparable to species variety except for the fact that it handles the variations in ecosystems within a geographical location. From one region or nation to another, there are various ecosystems or biomes with examples such as alpine meadows, taigas, wetlands, meadows, mangroves, and deserts, to name a few.

Methods of Conservation

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on earth. It can be conserved in the following methods:

  • In-situ Conservation
  • Ex-situ Conservation
In-situ Conservation

In-situ conservation of biodiversity is the preservation of species within their natural habitat. In this approach, the natural environment is kept and protected.

In-situ conservation has several advantages. Following are the crucial advantages of in-situ conservation:

It is an affordable and hassle-free technique of conserving biodiversity.

A lot of living organisms can be saved simultaneously. Given that the organisms remain in a natural environment, they can evolve much better and can quickly adapt to different ecological conditions. Specific secured areas where in-situ conservation takes place include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves.

In-situ-Conservation

National Parks

These are small reserves preserved by the federal government. Its limits are well demarcated and human activities such as grazing, forestry, habitat, and cultivation are restricted. For e.g., Lal Suhanra National Park, Yellow Stone National Park.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

These are the areas where just wild animals are found. Human activities such as timber harvesting, cultivation, collection of woods, and other forest products are allowed here as long as they do not interfere with the conservation job. Also, travelers go to these places for entertainment.

Further Reading:  Hardy-Weinberg Theorem

Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere reserves are multi-purpose safeguarded areas where the wildlife, conventional way of life of the occupants, and domesticated plants and animals are protected. Tourist and research activities are allowed here.

Ex-situ Conservation

Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity includes the breeding and maintenance of endangered species in artificial environments such as zoos, nurseries, botanical gardens, gene banks, etc. There is less competition for food, water, and area amongst the organisms.

Ex-situ-Conservation

Ex-situ conservation has the following advantages:

  • The animals are offered a longer time and breeding activity.
  • The species bred in captivity can be reintroduced in the wild.
  • Genetic techniques can be used for the conservation of threatened or endangered species.

MCQs

  • What is biodiversity conservation?
    • A. Protection of endangered species
    • B. Management of ecosystems
    • C. Upliftment of genetic diversity
    • D. All of the above
    • Answer: D
  • What are the three basic objectives of biodiversity conservation?
    • A. Ecological processes, variety of species, and sustainable utilization
    • B. Protection of ecosystems, species variety, and ecosystem diversity
    • C. Preservation of habitats, genetic variety, and species survival
    • D. In-situ conservation, ex-situ conservation, and sustainable utilization
    • Answer: A
  • Which type of biodiversity includes genetic information in animals, bacteria, and plants?
    • A. Species variety
    • B. Ecosystem diversity
    • C. Genetic diversity
    • D. Taxonomic diversity
    • Answer: C
  • What is the primary advantage of in-situ conservation?
    • A. Longer breeding time
    • B. Competitive environment
    • C. Affordable and convenient
    • D. Controlled breeding conditions
    • Answer: C
  • Which type of conservation involves breeding and maintenance of endangered species in artificial environments?
    • A. In-situ conservation
    • B. Ex-situ conservation
    • C. Genetic conservation
    • D. Taxonomic conservation
    • Answer: B
  • What is the key focus of genetic diversity in biodiversity conservation?
    • A. Conservation of ecosystems
    • B. Variation in genetic information
    • C. Preservation of habitats
    • D. Sustainable utilization of species
    • Answer: B
  • What does taxonomic diversity represent in biodiversity conservation?
    • A. Genetic relationship between species
    • B. Preservation of ecosystems
    • C. In-situ conservation techniques
    • D. Ex-situ conservation methods
    • Answer: A
  • In-situ conservation takes place in which of the following areas?
    • A. Zoos
    • B. Wildlife sanctuaries
    • C. Gene banks
    • D. Botanical gardens
    • Answer: B
  • What are the advantages of in-situ conservation?
    • A. Longer breeding time and controlled environment
    • B. Competitive breeding conditions
    • C. Affordable and hassle-free conservation
    • D. Artificial breeding environments
    • Answer: C
  • Which conservation method allows the breeding of endangered species in artificial environments?
    • A. In-situ conservation
    • B. Ex-situ conservation
    • C. Taxonomic conservation
    • D. Genetic conservation
    • Answer: B
  • Where are biosphere reserves established for biodiversity conservation?
    • A. Urban areas
    • B. Agricultural regions
    • C. Multi-purpose protected areas
    • D. Gene banks
    • Answer: C
  • Which of the following is a characteristic of wildlife sanctuaries?
    • A. Restricted human activities
    • B. Controlled timber harvesting
    • C. No conservation efforts
    • D. Limited access for tourists
    • Answer: A
  • What is the primary focus of ex-situ conservation?
    • A. Preserving natural habitats
    • B. Breeding and maintenance in artificial environments
    • C. Protecting ecosystems within their natural habitat
    • D. Utilizing species and ecosystems sustainably
    • Answer: B
  • Which type of conservation involves safeguarding species within their natural habitat?
    • A. Ex-situ conservation
    • B. Taxonomic conservation
    • C. In-situ conservation
    • D. Genetic conservation
    • Answer: C
  • What is the primary advantage of ex-situ conservation?
    • A. Controlled breeding conditions
    • B. Longer breeding time
    • C. Natural habitat preservation
    • D. Less competition for resources
    • Answer: D
  • Where does in-situ conservation of biodiversity occur?
    • A. Zoos
    • B. Botanical gardens
    • C. Wildlife sanctuaries
    • D. Gene banks
    • Answer: C
  • What is the focus of ecosystem diversity in biodiversity conservation?
    • A. Genetic variety within ecosystems
    • B. Variations in ecosystems within a geographical area
    • C. Taxonomic relationships between species
    • D. Breeding and maintenance in artificial environments
    • Answer: B
  • Which conservation method involves national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves?
    • A. In-situ conservation
    • B. Ex-situ conservation
    • C. Genetic conservation
    • D. Taxonomic conservation
    • Answer: A
  • What is the purpose of biosphere reserves in biodiversity conservation?
    • A. Only for wildlife protection
    • B. Multi-purpose protected areas for wildlife, traditional lifestyles, and domesticated plants and animals
    • C. Exclusive areas for genetic diversity preservation
    • D. Artificial breeding environments
    • Answer: B
  • Which type of biodiversity conservation involves the breeding and maintenance of endangered species in artificial environments?
    • A. In-situ conservation
    • B. Ex-situ conservation
    • C. Genetic conservation
    • D. Taxonomic conservation
    • Answer: B
  • Why is in-situ conservation considered an affordable and convenient technique?
    • A. Controlled breeding conditions
    • B. Competitive breeding environment
    • C. Natural habitat preservation
    • D. No need for protected areas
    • Answer: C
Further Reading:  DNA Isolation: Why isolate and Procedure

 

FAQs: Conservation of Biodiversity – Types, & Methods of Conservation

  1. What is biodiversity conservation?
    • Answer: Biodiversity conservation involves the protection, upliftment, and scientific management of biodiversity to preserve it at its threshold level and derive sustainable benefits for present and future generations.
  2. What are the three primary objectives of biodiversity conservation?
    • Answer: The three objectives are to maintain important ecological processes and life-supporting systems, protect the variety of species, and make sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems.
  3. How does genetic diversity contribute to biodiversity conservation?
    • Answer: Genetic diversity includes varied genetic information in animals, bacteria, and plants, providing flexibility and a survival mechanism against adverse environmental conditions.
  4. What is species variety, and how is it different from taxonomic diversity?
    • Answer: Species variety refers to the range of organisms in the environment, while taxonomic diversity represents the genetic relationship between different groups of species based on phylogenetic evolution.
  5. How does ecosystem diversity differ from species variety?
    • Answer: Ecosystem diversity deals with variations in ecosystems within a geographical location, encompassing various biomes or ecosystems like alpine meadows, taigas, wetlands, and deserts.
  6. What are the two primary methods of biodiversity conservation?
    • Answer: The two methods are in-situ conservation, which preserves species within their natural habitat, and ex-situ conservation, involving breeding and maintenance in artificial environments.
  7. What are the advantages of in-situ conservation?
    • Answer: In-situ conservation is affordable, hassle-free, allows the conservation of multiple organisms simultaneously, and enables better adaptation to different ecological conditions.
  8. Give examples of areas where in-situ conservation takes place.
    • Answer: Examples include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves, where natural environments are preserved to protect biodiversity.
  9. What are the advantages of ex-situ conservation?
    • Answer: Ex-situ conservation provides animals with a longer breeding time, facilitates reintroduction of species into the wild, and allows the use of genetic techniques for conservation.
  10. What is the primary focus of biosphere reserves in biodiversity conservation?
  • Answer: Biosphere reserves are multi-purpose protected areas aimed at conserving wildlife, traditional lifestyles, and domesticated plants and animals while permitting tourism and research activities.
  1. How is ex-situ conservation different from in-situ conservation?
  • Answer: Ex-situ conservation involves breeding and maintenance in artificial environments, providing controlled conditions with less competition for resources, while in-situ conservation preserves species within their natural habitat.
  1. Can species bred in captivity through ex-situ conservation be reintroduced into the wild?
  • Answer: Yes, species bred in captivity through ex-situ conservation can be reintroduced into the wild, contributing to biodiversity conservation efforts.
  1. How can genetic techniques be applied in ex-situ conservation?
  • Answer: Genetic techniques in ex-situ conservation can be used for the conservation of threatened or endangered species, ensuring genetic diversity and long-term survival.
  1. What are the factors contributing to the loss of biodiversity mentioned in the tutorial?
  • Answer: Factors include loss of habitat, fragmentation, overexploitation, human-sponsored environments, climatic changes, contamination, invasive species, diseases, shifting cultivation, and poaching of wildlife.
Further Reading:  Gene Expression and Regulation

 

Summary

Biodiversity, crucial for maintaining life on Earth, faces threats like habitat loss, climate change, and overexploitation. Humans must responsibly preserve biodiversity to ensure a healthy future. Conservation involves protection, upliftment, and scientific management, focusing on maintaining ecological processes, protecting species variety, and ensuring sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems.

The three types of biodiversity conservation are Genetic Diversity, Species Variety, and Ecosystem Diversity. Genetic diversity involves varied genetic information, providing adaptability and survival advantages. Species variety refers to the range of organisms, while taxonomic diversity represents genetic relationships between species. Ecosystem diversity deals with variations in ecosystems within a geographical location.

Conservation methods include In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation. In-situ conservation preserves species in their natural habitat, occurring in areas like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves. It is affordable, hassle-free, and promotes the evolution of organisms in their natural environment. Ex-situ conservation involves breeding in artificial environments like zoos and gene banks, offering advantages such as longer breeding time and reintroduction of species into the wild. Genetic techniques enhance the conservation of threatened species.

In conclusion, effective biodiversity conservation requires a balanced approach, combining in-situ and ex-situ methods, along with a commitment to sustainable practices. The preservation of genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity is vital for the well-being of current and future generations, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life forms on our planet.