Which one of the given approaches is used when the animals and plants are endangered?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Ex situ conservation
Saving the whole ecosystem protects biodiversity at every level; this is in situ conservation. But when an animal or plant is endangered, it may die out in the wild soon and needs urgent care. Then it is taken out of the wild and protected in a special setting.
Option (1) In situ conservation — Incorrect. In situ conservation protects the habitat as a whole. It is the general approach, not the urgent one for a species in danger.
Option (2) Ex situ conservation — Correct. For an endangered species, off-site protection in zoos, gardens, seed banks or by cryopreservation is the desirable approach.
Option (3) Endemism — Incorrect. Endemism means species found only in one region and nowhere else. It is a feature of a region, not a method of conservation.
Option (4) Alien species introduction — Incorrect. Bringing in alien species is one of the causes of biodiversity loss, as with the Nile perch in Lake Victoria.
NCERT Extract:
How Do We Conserve Biodiversity? – “… When we conserve and protect the whole ecosystem, its biodiversity at all levels is protected - we save the entire forest to save the tiger. This approach is called in situ (on site) conservation. However, when there are situations where an animal or plant is endangered or threatened (organisms facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future) and needs urgent measures to save it from extinction, ex situ (off site) conservation is the desirable approach.”