In-situ vs ex-situ conservation – UGC NET Question

In-situ conservation refers to protecting species in their natural habitats, where they have evolved and interact with other components of the ecosystem. Protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves are classic examples. Biosphere reserves aim to conserve entire ecosystems, including habitats, species and genetic diversity, within their original location. Therefore, option C correctly represents in-situ conservation of biodiversity.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because botanical gardens, though important for conservation, maintain plants outside their natural habitats. This is a form of ex-situ conservation.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as seed banks store genetic material away from the natural environment. They preserve diversity but do so ex-situ, not in-situ.

Option C:
Option C is correct since biosphere reserves conserve living organisms and their ecosystems where they naturally occur. This allows ongoing evolutionary processes and species interactions to continue, which is central to in-situ conservation.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because zoos house animals in captivity away from their natural ecosystems. Zoos are typically cited as ex-situ conservation measures.