Question

One of the situ conservation methods for endangered species is
(A) Wildlife sanctuaries
(B) Biosphere reserves
(C) Cryopreservation
(D) National parks

Answer 1

When we conserve the complete ecosystem, we are protecting organisms at all levels, ranging from microorganisms to insects to mammals. For example, Project Tiger – the motive behind this is that not only tigers are saved, but the whole forest is protected. This type of conservation is called in situ or on-site conservation. On the other hand, when an animal or plant species is facing threats or extinction or endangered, the more preferable one is ex situ or off-site conservation.

Complete Answer:
There are two types of conservation strategies,
(i) In situ conservation
(ii) Ex situ conservation

(i) Conserving the animal or plant species in its original habitat (ecosystem) is called in situ conservation. Example – Biodiversity Hotspots, Biosphere reserves, National parks, Wild life sanctuaries and Sacred grooves. This way of conservation is not economically feasible, because the number of species needed to be saved is far more than the conservation resources.
(ii) Conservation of threatened or endangered species of plants and animals outside their natural homes is called ex situ conservation. Example – Zoological parks, Botanical gardens and Wildlife safari parks.
- But recently, ex situ conservation has advanced beyond maintaining parks and gardens. The gametes of the threatened or endangered species can be preserved in viable and fertile conditions for many years using Gene banks.
- Gene banks – It includes institutes that maintain stocks of viable seeds, living growing plants, etc. Techniques used in preservation are recalcitrant seeds, tissue culture, and cryopreservation.

(A) Wildlife sanctuaries – One of the methods of in situ conservation which is not favourable for conserving endangered species.
(B) Biosphere reserves – Example of in situ conservation, which is meant for preserving genetic diversity in representative ecosystems.
(C) Cryopreservation – Advanced method of ex situ conservation, where in, embryos, sperms, animal cells or ovum of threatened or endangered or extinct species are stored in liquid nitrogen.
(D) National Parks – These are natural habitats maintained by the government (in situ conservation) and reserved for betterment of wildlife.

Therefore, Option (C) is correct.

Note: Moreover, when it comes to conserving threatened or endangered species, both traditional and advanced methods of ex situ conservation is more favourable and feasible than in situ conservation.