Biodiversity and Conservation Concept Map

Biodiversity Conservation Definition

Biodiversity conservation can be defined as the protection, upliftment and management of biodiversity in order to achieve sustainable benefits for present and future generations.

What is Biodiversity Conservation?

Biodiversity conservation is the protection and management of biodiversity to get resources for sustainable development.

Biodiversity conservation has three main objectives: 

• To preserve the diversity of species.

• Sustainable utilization of species and ecosystem.

• To maintain life-supporting systems and essential ecological processes.

Biodiversity and its Conservation Methods

Variability of life on Earth can be defined as Biodiversity. It can be conserved in the following ways:

• In-situ Conservation

• Ex-situ Conservation

In-situ Conservation

In-situ conservation of biodiversity is the way conservation of species takes place within the natural habitat. In this method, the natural ecosystem is maintained and guarded.

The in-situ conservation has several advantages. Following are the important advantages of in-situ conservation:

1. It is the most cost-saving and easy method of conserving biodiversity.

2. A large number of living organisms are often conserved simultaneously.

3. Since the organisms are a part of the natural ecosystem, they will evolve better and may easily suit different environmental conditions.

National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves are certain places where in-situ conservation takes place include

National Parks

These are small reserves maintained by the government. Its boundaries are well fenced and human and animal activities like grazing, forestry, habitat and cultivation are prohibited. For eg., Kanha National Park, Bandipur National Park.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Wildlife sanctuaries are the places where only wild animals are found. Human activities like timber harvesting, cultivation, collection of woods and other forest products are allowed here till the time they do not interfere with the conservation project. Also, tourists visit these places for recreation.

Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere reserves can be defined as multi-purpose protected places where the wildlife, traditional lifestyle of the inhabitants and domesticated plants and animals are protected. Tourist and research activities are permitted here.

Ex-situ Conservation

Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity involves the breeding and maintenance of species in artificial ecosystems like zoos, nurseries, botanical gardens, gene banks, etc. There is minimal competition for food, water and space among the organisms

Ex-situ conservation has the following advantages:

1. The animals are given an extended time and breeding activity.

2. The species bred in captivity are often reintroduced within the wild.

3. Genetic techniques are often used for the preservation of species.

Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation

Following are the important strategies for biodiversity conservation:

• All the sorts of food, timber plants, livestock, microbes and agricultural animals should be conserved.

• Unique ecosystems should be preserved first.

• The resources should be utilized efficiently.

• Poaching and hunting of untamed animals should be prevented.

• The reserves and guarded areas should be developed carefully.

• The levels of pollutants should be lessened in the environment.

• Deforestation should be strictly prohibited.

• Environmental laws should be followed strictly.

• The useful species of plants and animals should be conserved in their nature and also as artificial habitats.

Importance of Conserving Biodiversity

It is believed that a place with higher species abundance features a more stable environment compared to a place with lower species abundance. We can further claim the need for biodiversity by considering our degree of dependency on the environment. We are directly dependent on various species of plant for our different needs. Similarly, we rely on various species of animals and microbes for various reasons.

Because of the loss of habitat, over-exploitation of resources, climatic changes, pollution, invasive exotic species, diseases, hunting, etc., biodiversity is being lost. Since it provides us with several economic and ethical benefits and adds aesthetic value, it is vital to conserve biodiversity.

Biodiversity Conservation Map

Biodiversity conservation is one of the major concerns that need to be addressed. The concept map of biodiversity and conservation highlights the methods of biodiversity conservation and the consequences of loss of biodiversity in a flowchart format. Let's have a look at the Conservation map to understand the concept well.

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