Compare conservation strategies
Outline the roles of protected areas, zoos, botanic gardens, frozen zoos and seed banks.
Section 18.3 · Conservation
A Level; Cambridge International Biology 9700, 2028–2030. Written responses are self-checked; this does not certify supervised fieldwork or practical competence.
Before you begin
- Classification compares shared characteristics; populations occupy environments and contain variation.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What is the difference between in situ and ex situ conservation?
What you will learn
- Describe in situ and ex situ approaches
- Explain the roles and limits of the listed conservation organisations
Build the explanation
Conserved areas such as national and marine parks protect species in habitats, supporting ecosystem interactions in situ. Zoos and botanic gardens maintain living populations and can support breeding, research and public education. Seed banks preserve plant genetic material; frozen zoos store reproductive cells or tissues for future use. These ex situ approaches can complement habitat protection.
Use evidence within scope
Collections are not substitutes for functioning habitats and may represent only part of a species’ genetic variation. Conservation plans should connect the method to the threat, maintain genetic diversity and consider whether reintroduction is feasible.
Pause and explain
Why should ex situ breeding be combined with wider recovery planning?
Worked example
A plant has been lost from its wild habitat but viable seeds can be stored. Which method preserves plant genetic material ex situ?
Show the worked solution
- Seeds are collected and stored outside the habitat.
- Use a seed bank.
Answer A seed bank can preserve plant genetic material ex situ while habitat restoration or other recovery work is considered.
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Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Which approach protects an endangered marine species within its ecosystem?
Give me a hint
Identify the required evidence and sequence the reasoning.
Compare my reasoning
- Keep the species and habitat together.
- A marine protected area is in situ.
A conserved marine area protects the species in its habitat, so it is in situ conservation.
Look for these in your work
- Relevant evidence selected
- Reasoning linked to conclusion
How can a frozen zoo contribute to conservation?
Give me a hint
Use the supplied example or data to justify a conclusion.
Compare my reasoning
- It stores cells or tissues.
- These may support future reproductive or genetic work.
A frozen zoo can preserve genetic material such as reproductive cells or tissues that may support future breeding or research.
Look for these in your work
- Concept applied
- Limit or assumption stated
Why should ex situ breeding be combined with wider recovery planning?
Give me a hint
Apply the concept in a new context and qualify its limits.
Compare my reasoning
- Captive populations do not restore habitat by themselves.
- Reintroduction needs suitable conditions.
Ex situ breeding does not by itself restore habitat or remove threats; recovery also needs suitable wild habitat, genetic planning and threat management.
Look for these in your work
- New context handled
- Conclusion appropriately bounded
Common mistakes
- Calling a seed bank an in situ method
- Assuming a zoo alone protects an entire wild ecosystem
What can you explain now?
What is the difference between in situ and ex situ conservation?
Compare with the explanation
In situ protects organisms in their habitat; ex situ is outside it
Protected areas are in situ; collections and seed banks are ex situ.
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Make it stick
How do protected areas and stored genetic resources complement each other?
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