In situ and Ex situ conservation of Biodiversity: Different Methods And Strategies

What Is Biological Diversity?

Biological diversity can be defined as the variation of organisms within specified genetic, species, ecosystem, or geographical units: from genes to ecosystems, populations from populations and up to specific regions or the entire world. These are genetic, species, and ecosystem, which support and maintain ecosystem functions, with the latter being the services that are vital to human life. It is essential for supporting the ecological systems and living organisms that inhabit the Earth by providing them with the necessary resources they require for their existence and survival.

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Conservation efforts employ two main approaches: the two main strategies of conservation which include in-situ conservation where there is a protection of species and their natural environments and ex-situ conservation involving the protection of species in Modified environments such as in breeding farms and seed repositories. This is because such methods are intended to maintain the population of species and ecosystems that may be under threat due to various factors such as habitat destruction, and climate change among others, for future generations.

In Situ Conservation

The In Situ Conservation is described below-

In situ conservation is a concept whereby the species and the ecosystems are conserved in their natural environment. It aims at the conservation and proper use of species and their abiotic environment, where they are naturally found, thus preserving their existence and effectiveness in their natural habitat. The idea behind this approach is to preserve or restore genetic variation, promote natural biological dynamics, and continue to provide ecosystem functions, which are vital for the conservation of species and people’s welfare.

Natural habitats And ecosystems

Forests: Remaining natural forests are paired to protect multiple damaged species and the services that are offered by the selected and complicated biomes.

National Parks: Specific geographical zones set aside for the conservation of various flora and fauna as well as their habitat by allowing a certain degree of utilization of the natural resources by humans.

Wildlife Sanctuaries: Spaces designated for these animals’ survival and breeding, although such locations are usually protected by law to hinder human interference.

Biosphere Reserves: Specific areas set aside for demarcating areas that would allow for combining the purpose of conservation with that of development, aspects of protection of biodiversity, research and education.

Examples Of In Situ Conservation

Kaziranga National Park (India): Famously, home to the endangered Indian rhinoceros along with several other animal and plant species; safeguarded from hunting and deforestation.

Yellowstone National Park (USA): Both ecosystems and wildlife populations were as such maintained by the Region, which embraces such celebrities as grizzly bears and wolves.

Sundarbans Mangrove Forest (India and Bangladesh): The largest mangrove forest in the world which is the home of endangered species like the tiger of Bengal and dolphin of Ganges.

Benefits Of In Situ Conservation

If applied accordingly in situ conservation enhances the viability of ecosystems, maintains ecosystem functions, conserves the genetic pool, and sustainable utilization of the same. It also contributes to the protection of cultural and recreational significance of natural environments.

Challenges And Limitations

The following are some of the threats; Loss of habitat, changes in climatic conditions and population, poaching, presence of competitors and predators and dominance by human activities including farming and construction. The realization of these factors poses a great challenge to the success of in situ conservation, hence the need for well-coordinated funding, management, and support from the public.

Ex Situ Conservation

The Ex Situ Conservation is described below-

Ex-situ conservation is also acknowledged as the practice of conservation of species outside their natural ecosystems. It covers techniques that focus on maintaining genetic variation combined with species in danger in the natural environment, besides in-situ conservation measures. It is crucial for the conservation of endangered species and their stabilisation by breeding and storing their genetic material.

Types Of Ex-Situ Conservation Methods

Zoos: Save genetic materials for particular species and ensure those species’ reproduction, thus offering researchers and the public chances to learn about conservation.

Botanical Gardens: To grow and preserve various types of plants especially those on the verge of extinction as a reference and teaching aid, and for exhibition.

Seed Banks: Sow seeds of various plant species under optimum conditions to keep an array of seeds of various plant species and protect species from the influence of natural factors.

Cryopreservation: Safeguard seeds, embryos or tissues at extremely low temperatures to uphold the consistency of genetic variety and assist in reinstatement.

Examples Of Ex-Situ Conservation

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK): Administers large plant gardens/conservatories and preserves endangered species as well as study plant conservation and utilization.

Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Norway): S envisaged as a safe and secure place where millions of seeds from different parts of the world are to be stored for future use to avoid erosion of biodiversity, particularly in crops.

San Diego Zoo (USA): Famous for the conservation breeding programs of endangered species such as the birds of the California condor type, and the mammals, the giant pandas, to release them into the natural environment.

Benefits Of Ex-Situ Conservation

Conservation in captivity can also mitigate extinction, act as insurance for species that are threatened in the wild, help in the study of species biology and the methods of their conservation, as well as enhance awareness and understanding of the general public on the issue of conservation of biological diversity.

Challenges And Limitations

Some of them are: how to achieve genetic diversity in such populations, the welfare of such populations, the methods of successful re-introduction of some species into the wild, and, finally, the enormous costs and time that are necessary for their effective management and care. Hence, integration with efforts under the in situ conservation and tackling of ethical issues are also important aspects of ex-situ conservation measures.

Comparison Of In-Situ And Ex Situ Conservation

The comparison is described below-

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages and disadvantages are as follows

In Situ Conservation:

Advantages:

• Enhances species’ conservation in their natural ecosystems thus maintaining the natural ecological relationships and balances.

• Sustains ecosystem and ecosystems’ structural stability to alterations in environmental conditions.

• Enables the subject to shapeshift to meet new threats and situations that are likely to be encountered in the wild.

• Enables the preservation of numerous large quantities of the species and even the ecosystems.

Disadvantages:

• Vulnerable to any changes in the structure and quality of habitats, climate changes and other natural and man-made perturbations.

• Fragile ecosystems as well as challenges in implementing measures to regulate and conserve species especially where the terrain is vast and in some cases, inaccessible.

Many difficulties arise with the monitoring and enforcement of the regulations of conservation.

Ex Situ Conservation:

Advantages:

• Ensures protection of endangered species especially whenever their life is in danger in their natural environments.

• Ensures that breeding and issues to do with genes can be well controlled to enhance on diversity and viability.

• Enhance the funding of research, education and public awareness needs of the Convention.

• It also can help to perform the measures of species’ rehabilitation and reintroduction.

Disadvantages:

• Possibly create limited similarity between the natural environment and other ecological factors, which may alter the behaviour and fitness of the species being relocated.

• The genetic variation may be comparatively lower than the wild type.

• Difficulties in obtaining and maintaining funding for the long-term needs and care of such populations.

Situations where each method is most effective

In Situ Conservation:

Effective for species that require a large amount of space or those with special needs in terms of biological relationships with other organisms.

• Appropriate for conserving ecosystem goods and services.

• Suitable for species that have a specific natural condition or specificity in terms of interaction.

• Favourable in the case of sheltering key biomes and entire systems.

Ex Situ Conservation:

• Essay when species exist in a state that is close to extinction or threatened severely in the wild.

• Especially useful for taxons with small or dwindling populations in that they can be bred in captivity.

• They are also vital for maintaining genetic stocks and species’ viability during such catastrophes.

• Funds programs to promote the study of species’ variety, and its protection and make people aware of the issue.

Recommended video on In situ and Ex situ conservation of Biodiversity

Case studies and examples

Learn about some case studies:

In Situ Conservation Examples:

• Kaziranga National Park (India): Safeguards the Indian rhinoceros and other animals in their natural environment fighting threats like poaching and habitat degradation.

• Yellowstone National Park (USA): Maintains ecosystems and their inhabitants, mammalian legends like the grizzly bear and timber wolf, via sound practice and fervent preservation.

• Sundarbans Mangrove Forest (India and Bangladesh): Greatest mangrove forest, home to the endangered Bengal tigers, and other species largely specific to the forests located in the delta of large rivers.

Ex Situ Conservation Examples:

• San Diego Zoo (USA): Engage in effective breeding for species like Californian condor, garden and unsurpassed which are used for breeding and species conservation and reintroduction.

• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK): Conserves numerous endangered plant species and other plant species with other duties of research concerning plant species conservation across the world.

• Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Norway): Preserves samples of seeds from different parts of the globe to guarantee crops’ genetic stock and mankind’s food supply.