Conservation of Biodiversity: Need, Types & Strategies - UPSC Notes

Conservation of biodiversity refers to the collective efforts aimed at protecting and preserving the variety of life forms found on Earth. This includes plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they inhabit. It involves the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources. This helps ensure the long-term survival of species, maintenance of ecological balance, and safeguarding of genetic diversity.

In this article on Conservation of Biodiversity UPSC, we will study concepts of biodiversity and conservation, ways to conserve biodiversity, types of conservation of biodiversity, and more. 

This topic on Conservation of Biodiversity UPSC is very important from the UPSC Syllabus point of view and will help the UPSC IAS aspirants improve their understanding of these topics.

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What is Biodiversity Conservation?

Biodiversity conservation entails the protection and conservation of the entire range of life on Earth: plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms, and their habitats. This would include ensuring an ecosystem balance with the continued survival of species and natural environments that support ecological processes benefiting human life, such as clean air, clean water, and food. Biodiversity conservation forms the basis of this entire body thinking about Earth's health because the health of the biosphere depends on ecosystem resilience to environmental change, and it has the potential to mitigate human-induced changes in habitats like deforestation and pollution, plus climate change.

Also, check out Geography Environment NCERT Notes here!

Need for Conservation of Biodiversity

With the loss in biodiversity, we are continuously losing the biological wealth of our planet thus protecting biodiversity, conserving the ecosystem, and ways to conserve biodiversity are really important. All this loss in biodiversity is only because of human activities. In the last 20 years approx 27 species underwent extinction along with that 12% of all bird species, 23% of all mammal species, 32% of all amphibian species, and 31% of all gymnosperm species are under threat of extinction i.e. they are endangered species.

This decrease in biodiversity causes various effects like the decline in plant production, decrease in resistance to environmental perturbations such as drought, etc.

Also read: NCERT Notes: Geography: Koppen’s Climate Classification here!

Types of Biodiversity Conservation in India

Get a detailed understanding of the On-site and Off-site Biodiversity Conservation in India in the below section:

In situ Conservation of Biodiversity

When the protection of plants and animals is done within their natural habitat or in protected areas called in-situ conservation. In such conversations land area or sea is dedicated to the protection process and to maintaining equality in biodiversity. This type of conservation is to protect the full biodiversity of different genes, populations, species, communities, and ecological processes.

This type of biodiversity is cheap and affordable. It conserves organisms at different trophic levels whether they are producers or consumers.

Types of In situ Conservation of Biodiversity

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries: Oldest National park is Yellowstone which is in the USA.

Biosphere Reserves: It is a kind of ecosystem which is composed of both living beings i.e. biotic components and non-living biotic components from which they derive energy and nutrients.

Also, check the NCERT Notes on Endogenic Processes here.

Ex situ Conservation of Biodiversity

Conversation of plants and animals which is done outside of their natural habitat is called ex-situ conservation.

Types of Ex situ Conservation of Biodiversity

• Zoos
• Captive Breeding
• Aquarium
• Botanical Gardens
• Gene Banks.

Advantages of Ex situ Conservation 

Some of the advantages of ex situ conservation of biodiversity are listed below:

• In this conservation, animals are provided with a longer time and breeding activity.
• The species which are bred in captivity are further reintroduced into the natural ecosystem.
• In this conservation type genetic technique is used to save endangered species.

Read the article on Carbon Cycle!

Government Startegies for Conservation of Biodiversity in India

Some of the major steps which are taken by the Indian government to conserve biodiversity are listed below:

• The Central government passed the Wild Life Protection Act in 1972. Under this act inter alia is provided for the creation of protected areas to conserve biodiversity and punishment will be given for hunting of specified animals.
• In 2010 Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules were formed for the protection of wetlands in the state.
• A national plan has been set up for the conservation of the aquatic ecosystem. Under this plan, proper assistance will be given to the States for the management of wetlands including Ramsar sites in the country.
• Establishment of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to control illegal trade in wildlife, including endangered species.
• Different research centres have been set up like Wildlife Institute of India, Bombay Natural History Society and Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History to do research on how to conserve biodiversity.
• Banning of the veterinary use of diclofenac drug by the Indian government as it causes a rapid decline in the number of Gyps vultures.
• A programme of conservation breeding is started in order to protect endangered organisms like vultures. Conservation breeding is started in various states like Pinjore (Haryana), Buxa (West Bengal) and Rani, Guwahati (Assam) by the Bombay Natural History Society.
• A scheme like “Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats” has been started in order to recover endangered species like Snow Leopard, Bustard (including Floricans), Dolphin, Hangul, Nilgiri Tahr, Marine Turtles, Dugong, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar Megapode, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Swamp Dee, etc.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants Definition and Importance: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems. It is vital for ecosystem stability, resilience, and providing ecosystem services essential for human survival. Causes of Biodiversity Loss: Habitat destruction, climate change, overexploitation of resources, pollution, invasive species, and agricultural practices are major factors contributing to biodiversity loss. Protected Areas: Establishing protected areas like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves helps conserve habitats and species. In India, notable examples include the Sundarbans, Kaziranga, and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Conservation Strategies: In-situ conservation (conserving species in their natural habitats) and ex-situ conservation (preserving components of biodiversity outside their natural habitats, such as in zoos, seed banks) are key strategies.

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