How do we conserve biodiversity? Explain in situ and ex situ conservation with examples.
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
1 · Open with the two approaches. Biodiversity is conserved in situ (on site) and ex situ (off site).
2 · In situ: hotspots. Very high richness and endemism; 34 in the textbook; Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma, Himalaya; less than 2% of land; could cut extinctions by almost 30%.
3 · In situ: protected areas. Biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, sacred groves and Ramsar wetlands.
4 · Describe ex situ methods.
Zoos, botanical gardens and safari parks.
Cryopreservation of gametes; in vitro fertilisation; tissue culture.
Seed banks for genetic strains of crops.
5 · Mention international efforts. Earth Summit, Rio 1992; Johannesburg 2002, where 190 countries pledged to reduce biodiversity loss by 2010.
6 · Link to real life. India's national gene bank stores the seeds of thousands of crop varieties.
7 · Close in one line. So in situ saves whole ecosystems, and ex situ is the safety net.
Scoring tip: Divide your answer under two headings, in situ and ex situ, with at least three examples under each.
