- In-situ conservation involves the preservation of an endangered plant or animal species within its natural habitat.
- Examples of in-situ conservation techniques include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, natural reserves, biosphere reserves, and sacred groves.
- This approach not only ensures the sustainability of the environment and ecology but also protects the local population.
- In contrast to ex-situ conservation, in-situ conservation is typically implemented within protected areas or specific habitats.
OBJECTIVES
In the realm of in-situ management, two primary approaches exist: those that center on specific species’ populations (species-centered approaches) and those that encompass entire ecosystems (ecosystem-based approaches). Despite this distinction, both strategies share a common purpose:
- Common Objective:
- Species-Centered Approaches: Concentrate on the preservation of particular species’ populations.
- Ecosystem-Based Approaches: Address the conservation of complete ecosystems.
- Promoting Self-Replication:
- Enable the self-replication of species populations, ensuring their capacity for ongoing development.
- Facilitate the survival of biodiversity within the specific ecosystem where the species naturally resides.
- Preservation of Ecological and Evolutionary Processes:
- Ensure the safeguarding of natural ecological and evolutionary processes occurring within the ecosystem.
- Emphasize the preservation of constituent elements, including populations, species, communities, and biophysical systems.
Targeted Conservation Efforts:
- Concentrate conservation endeavors on the environments where a specific species has evolved distinctive characteristics.
- Recognize the importance of preserving the specific conditions that have shaped the unique features of the species.
Diverse Habitat Considerations:
- Acknowledge that conservation habitats may include natural environments or those significantly influenced by human activities.
- Recognize the distinctive features acquired by species in areas altered by human presence, such as domestic or agricultural landscapes.
Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation:
- For example, in the context of domestic or agricultural species, conservation initiatives may extend to preserving agro-ecosystems.
- Farmers are called upon to employ widespread traditional farming methods to ensure the conservation of agricultural biodiversity.
PROTECTED AREAS
National Parks:
- National Parks, government-designated conservation areas, surpass wildlife sanctuaries in terms of restrictions.
- These parks, such as Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Kanha Tiger National Park (Madhya Pradesh), and Kaziranga National Park (Assam), are established with the primary objectives of biodiversity preservation and maintaining the natural environment.
- Notably, no human activity is permitted within their clearly defined boundaries. Private tenancy rights and livestock grazing are strictly prohibited in these areas.
Wildlife Sanctuaries:
- Similar to national parks, wildlife sanctuaries are dedicated to wildlife conservation, with a particular focus on endangered species.
- These sanctuaries, numbering 543 in India, also extend protection to plant species. Unlike national parks, wildlife sanctuaries allow specific human activities like timber harvesting, small forest product production, and private property rights.
- Notable initiatives in India include Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Indian Bustard, and various eco-developmental programs.
Biosphere Reserves:
Recognizing the crucial need for wildlife and flora protection, biosphere reserves are designated areas divided into distinct zones for various purposes. These include:
- Core Area: Preserving unaltered ecosystems within a legally protected natural or core zone.
- Buffer Zone: Encircling the core region, this zone supports a range of resource use tactics.
- Transition Zone: Located at the edge, it serves as a protected area for local populations of animals, plants, and people. Examples of Indian biosphere reserves include Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand), Manas (Assam), Dibru Saikhowa (Assam), Great Nicobar, Sunderbans (West Bengal), and Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh).
ADVANTAGES
Cost Efficiency:
- In-situ conservation stands out as a cost-efficient and pragmatic approach to preserving biological diversity.
- By allowing a species to thrive in its native environment, the factors detrimental to its survival are eliminated.
- This method significantly reduces the expenses associated with conservation activities.
Protection of Entire Ecosystem:
- The essence of in-situ conservation lies in safeguarding the complete ecosystem or natural habitat to ensure the sustained existence of a species.
- For instance, maintaining an adequate number of herbivores is crucial to providing food for predators, creating a balanced ecological system.
- By preserving the entire ecosystem, a multitude of organisms is safeguarded through this process.
Free Play of Natural Agents:
- In a natural system, organisms not only endure and reproduce but also undergo transformations over time.
- In-situ conservation allows for the unrestricted influence of natural forces like drought, storms, snow, temperature fluctuations, heavy rain, fires, diseases, etc.
- These factors create an environment where organisms have the opportunity to adapt to changing conditions and evolve into better-adapted living forms.
DISADVANTAGES
Survival:
- In fragmented endangered habitats, there may be insufficient space to ensure the survival of endangered species.
- The limitations of available habitat may hinder the natural behaviors and breeding patterns necessary for long-term viability.
Decline in Genetic Diversity:
- In-situ conservation efforts may not fully address the decline in genetic diversity within populations.
- Factors such as habitat fragmentation and limited gene flow can contribute to reduced genetic variability.
Diseases and Interspecific Competition:
- Even within protected areas, the risk of diseases and interspecific competition persists.
- Local organisms may face threats from diseases or competition with other species, impacting their overall health and survival prospects.
Poaching And Tourism Activities:
- The development associated with conservation areas can create opportunities for negative activities such as poaching and disruptive tourism.
- These activities pose direct threats to the well-being of the protected organisms and can undermine conservation efforts.
FAQs – In-situ Conservation
1. What is in-situ conservation?
A: In-situ conservation involves preserving endangered plant or animal species within their natural habitats.
2. What are examples of in-situ conservation techniques?
A: Examples include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, natural reserves, biosphere reserves, and sacred groves.
3. How does in-situ conservation differ from ex situ conservation?
A: In-situ conservation is implemented within protected areas or specific habitats, unlike ex situ conservation, which involves preserving species outside their natural environment.
4. What are the objectives of in-situ conservation?
A: The primary objectives include promoting self-replication of species, preserving ecological and evolutionary processes, and targeting conservation efforts based on diverse habitat considerations.
5. What are species-centered approaches in in-situ management?
A: Species-centered approaches focus on preserving populations of specific species within their natural ecosystems.
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