Methods of Biodiversity conservation.

There are two methods of biodiversity conservation.

A. In-situ conservation.

B. Ex-situ conservation.

A. In-situ conservation

• In order to preserve the genetic resources in their natural habitat and ensure the sustainability of species populations, in-situ conservation is necessary.

• This approach focuses on maintaining and recovering viable populations within their ecosystems.

It has following subtypes

1. National Park

• It is the area which in which protection is provided to particular flora fauna or ecosystem decided by statute through legal provisions.

It is divided into two parts-

Core area-

• It is central region of national park which is completely prohibited from human activities.

Buffer area-

• It is peripheral area of National Park which allows limited tourism.

1st national park of India-

Jim Corbett National Park-

• Location- Uttarakhand.

• Sir Malcolm Hailey founded the national park in 1936 and it was named after him as Hailey National Park.

• In 1956, in honour of Jim Corbet who took the initiative for wildlife preservation in India.

2. Wildlife Sanctuary

• A wildlife sanctuary is a protected area where the killing, hunting, shooting, or capturing of any species of bird or animal is strictly prohibited, except under the control of the highest authority within the department responsible for managing the sanctuary.

• The boundaries and character of the sanctuary should be respected and kept as sacred as possible.

• It is created by government in order to conserve a particular species which may be of local, national or international significance.

• The Indian Board for Wild Life says that while the management of sanctuaries does not involve suspension or restriction of normal forest operation, it is desirable to aside a completely sacrosanct area within a sanctuary to be known as ‘Abhyaranya’.

• It has also indicated that sanctuaries should be made accessible to the public.

It is divided into two parts-

Core area-

• It is central region of national park which is completely prohibited from human activities.

Buffer region –

• It is peripheral region in which activities like tourism, fuelwood collection, and honey collection are allowed.

3.Biosphere Reserves

• This concept was formulated during Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme of UNESCO.

World Network of Biosphere reserves -

• It is also part of UNESCO man and biosphere programme which includes list and network of biospheres at international level.

• The Biosphere Reserve National Programme was initiated by UNESCO in 1971 as part of its Main and Biosphere Programme (MAB).

• Biosphere Reserves have been described as undisturbed natural areas for scientific study as well as areas in which conditions of disturbance are under control.

• These serve as the centres for ecological research and habitat protection.

• Participation in the World Network is voluntary as the BRs are under the sole sovereignty of the country/state where they are located.

Criteria for designation of BR

• To be designated as a Biosphere Reserve (BR), a site should have a core area that is effectively protected and minimally disturbed, and of value for nature conservation.

• The core area must be representative of a bio-geographical unit and large enough to support viable populations that represent all levels of the ecosystem.

• The management authority responsible for the BR must ensure that local communities are involved and cooperate in managing the reserve, to bring diverse knowledge and experiences to link biodiversity conservation with socio-economic development, while also managing and containing conflicts.

• Area’s potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for harmonious use of environment.

Structure of Biosphere Reserve

Core Areas-

• It is the most protected area of a biosphere reserve. 

• It may contain endemic plants and animals.

• Preserving the natural counterparts of profitable crops is crucial, as they serve as vital genetic repositories with significant scientific value.

• A core zone is a protected region, like a National Park or Sanctuary/protected/regulated mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• It is kept free from human interference.

Buffer Zone-

• The buffer zone is an area surrounding the core zone of a protected site, and its activities are managed to help protect the natural condition of the core zone.

• In the buffer zone, activities such as restoration, limited tourism, fishing, and grazing are permitted, but are regulated to reduce their impact on the core zone.

• The promotion of research and educational activities is also encouraged in the buffer zone to support the preservation and conservation efforts of the protected site.

Transition Area-

• The transition area is the outermost part of the biosphere reserve.

• It is where communities encourage sustainable economic and human activities.

• The transition area promotes socio-cultural and ecological well-being.

Functions of Biosphere reserves

• Biosphere reserves serve the function of conserving landscapes, natural ecosystems, species, and genetic variation.

• These reserves also support and contribute to a sustainable development of our planet that is both economically and socially-culturally and ecologically friendly.

• They provide support and research in that ecosystem.

• They help in overall development of community in that particular area.

National Biosphere Reserve Programme-

• It was launched in 1986.

• Financial assistance is provided to different states under a particular scheme for the maintenance, improvement, and development of certain items.

• The North Eastern Region States and three Himalayan states receive the assistance in a ratio of 90:10, while other states receive it in a ratio of 60:40.

• Aim- To conserve the diversity and integrity of plants and animals within natural ecosystems.

Difference between National Park, Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve

Some other Types of In-Situ conservation

1. Conservation Reserves

• Conservation Reserves are areas owned by State Governments adjacent to National Parks and Sanctuaries, aimed at protecting landscapes, seascapes, and habitats of flora and fauna.

• A Conservation Reserve Management Committee manages the reserves.

• The Wildlife Protection Act's Amendment Act of 2003 included Conservation Reserves as a protected area.

• State Governments can declare any Government-owned area as a Conservation Reserve after consulting with local communities.

2. Community Reserve

• A new type of protected area called a Community Reserve was created by the Amendment Act of 2003.

• Community reserves can be established by the state government on community land or private land with the consent of the local community.

• The management of the reserve is overseen by a Community Reserve Management Committee.

3.Sacred grooves

• Sacred groves refer to areas of ancient forest that rural communities preserve as habitats for deities.

• The level of sacredness associated with each grove differs.

• In some groves, even the dead leaves and fallen fruits are considered sacred and cannot be disturbed.

Threats to sacred grooves

• Urbanization.

• Overexploitation of resources.

• Overgrazing.

• Infrastructural development.

• Deforestation.

B.Ex-situ conservation

• Ex-situ conservation is a method aimed at protecting threatened plant and animal species by relocating them from their natural habitat and placing them in a secure environment where they can receive special care.

It is further subdivided as follows-

1.Gene banks-

• Gene banks are specialized institutions that hold and preserve genetic material from various species.

• The genetic material of any organism contains crucial information about its existence, making gene banks valuable resources for future research and use.

Field Gene banks-

• It involves conservation of plant(s) and is partially evolutionary in nature.

In Vitro Gene banks-

• Conservation of cells, tissues, organs under aseptic conditions following the principle of totipotency, subjecting the cultures to slow growth in glass or plastic containers.

Cryo-Gene banks-

• Cryo-preservation of seeds, organs, sperms (pollen) or cultures in liquid nitrogen between -150 to -1960C following the principle of cryogenics.

2. DNA banks-

• It includes conserving genomic DNA, DNA libraries, DNA clones etc.

3. Seed banks-

• Seed banks are repositories that store seeds, which carry genetic information from one generation to another.

• These banks ensure the survival of seeds for extended periods under specific low moisture and temperature conditions.

• The process is primarily static, as it involves preserving the genetic material without altering its inherent properties.

4. Zoo –

• These are places in which species are kept in artificial enclosures. Zoo serves purpose of educating citizens about wildlife.

5. Botanical garden-

• A Botanical Garden is a meticulously designed assortment of living plant species such as trees, shrubs, climbers, herbs, and other flora originating from diverse regions worldwide.

Short One liner Questions and answers on Methods of biodiversity conservation.

What are the two methods of biodiversity conservation?

The two methods of biodiversity conservation are in-situ conservation and ex-situ conservation.

What is in-situ conservation?

In-situ conservation is a method of biodiversity conservation that focuses on maintaining and recovering viable populations of species within their ecosystems.

What are the subtypes of in-situ conservation?

The subtypes of in-situ conservation are National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, and Biosphere Reserves.

What is a National Park?

A National Park is an area where protection is provided to particular flora, fauna or ecosystems decided by statute through legal provisions. It has a core area that is completely prohibited from human activities and a buffer area where limited tourism is allowed.

What is the first national park of India and where is it located?

Jim Corbett National Park is the first national park of India, and it is located in Uttarakhand.

What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?

A Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area where the killing, hunting, shooting, or capturing of any species of bird or animal is strictly prohibited, except under the control of the highest authority within the department responsible for managing the sanctuary.

What is Biosphere Reserve?

Biosphere Reserve is an area that serves as a centre for ecological research and habitat protection, with undisturbed natural areas for scientific study and areas in which conditions of disturbance are under control.

What is the World Network of Biosphere reserves?

The World Network of Biosphere reserves is a part of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme that includes a list and network of biospheres at the international level.

When was the Biosphere Reserve National Programme initiated?

The Biosphere Reserve National Programme was initiated by UNESCO in 1971 as part of its Main and Biosphere Programme (MAB).

What is the core area of a Biosphere Reserve?

The core area is the most protected area of a Biosphere Reserve, mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It may contain endemic plants and animals, and it is kept free from human interference.

What is the buffer zone of a Biosphere Reserve?

The buffer zone is an area surrounding the core zone of a protected site, where activities such as restoration, limited tourism, fishing, and grazing are permitted, but are regulated to reduce their impact on the core zone.

What is the transition area of a Biosphere Reserve?

The transition area is the outermost part of a Biosphere Reserve, where communities encourage sustainable economic and human activities, and promote socio-cultural and ecological well-being.

When was the National Biosphere Reserve Programme launched and what is its aim?

The National Biosphere Reserve Programme was launched in 1986, with the aim to conserve the diversity and integrity of plants and animals within natural ecosystems. Financial assistance is provided to different states under a particular scheme for the maintenance, improvement, and development of certain items.