10.2 - Preservation, Conservation and Restoration of Ecosystems

Definitions

• Preservation of an ecosystem: Efforts made to protect the components of an ecosystem so that it remains in its natural condition.
• Conservation of an ecosystem: Efforts to restore environmental resources such as water, forests, energy, air and minerals so that they continue to exist.
  • In situ conservation retains wildlife species in their original habitats, such as national parks and marine parks.
  • Ex situ conservation keeps wildlife species outside their original habitats, such as zoos and botanical gardens.
• Restoration of an ecosystem: Efforts to renew and restore natural ecosystems that have deteriorated, been damaged or been destroyed by human activities.

The Need for Preservation, Conservation, and Restoration

• Preservation:
  • Protects ecosystem components and maintains their natural condition.
  • Gazetting forest reserves protects the natural beauty of flora and fauna from development.
  • Undisturbed forest reserves provide research sites.
• Conservation:
  • Restores used environmental resources without allowing them to become extinct.
  • Saves threatened ecosystem components.
  • Protects wildlife in original habitats through in situ conservation or outside original habitats through ex situ conservation.
• Restoration:
  • Renews natural ecosystems degraded, damaged or destroyed by human activities.
  • Reforestation and planting cover crops ensure the continuity of natural resources for future generations.
  • Restoration projects can re-establish ecosystems such as mangrove swamps.