Conserving and safeguarding the entire ecosystem ensures the preservation of biodiversity at all levels, illustrating the principle of "saving the entire forest to protect the tiger." This approach is known as in situ (on-site) conservation. However, in certain cases where a particular animal or plant species is at risk of extinction and requires immediate intervention, ex situ (off-site) conservation becomes the preferred method. In situ conservation involves protecting the natural habitat and the various organisms that inhabit it, ensuring the continuity of their ecological processes. By preserving the ecosystem as a whole, we indirectly safeguard the survival of individual species, such as the tiger in the forest example. On the other hand, ex situ conservation focuses on taking endangered or threatened species out of their natural environment and placing them in specialised facilities, such as botanical gardens, zoos, or seed banks. This approach is essential when the species faces imminent extinction and requires immediate and dedicated efforts for its survival. These off-site facilities provide a controlled environment where proper care and breeding programs can be implemented to enhance the species' chances of survival and eventual reintroduction into the wild if possible.
Which of the following is an in situ conservation approach?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → All of these
In situ (on site) conservation protects a species where it naturally lives, by protecting its whole ecosystem: we save the entire forest to save the tiger. In India, the regions rich in biodiversity are protected by law as biosphere reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. All three keep the plants and animals in their natural habitat, so all three are in situ approaches.
Option (1) Biosphere reserves — Correct statement, but it is only one of the correct points, so on its own it is not the answer. A biosphere reserve protects a large natural area together with the living things in it.
Option (2) National parks — Correct statement, but it is only one of the correct points, so on its own it is not the answer. A national park gives legal protection to the habitat and the wildlife living in it.
Option (3) Wildlife sanctuaries — Correct statement, but it is only one of the correct points, so on its own it is not the answer. A wildlife sanctuary protects the animals in their own natural surroundings.
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.”
How do we Conserve Biodiversity? – “… In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected as biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries.”