Back to Topic 3.6 — In situ vs ex situ conservation

3.6.2ESS SL22 flashcards

Ex situ conservation

Practice Flashcards

Flip to reveal answers

Card 1 of 223.6.2

Question

Give one benefit of ex situ conservation.

Click to reveal answer

Track your progress — Sign up free to save your progress and get smart review reminders based on spaced repetition.

All 22 Flashcards — Ex situ conservation

Card 1example

Question

Give one benefit of ex situ conservation.

Answer

It can prevent extinction by keeping individuals safe and allowing population growth via breeding.

💡 Hint

Stops extinction.

Card 2example

Question

In one line, what does ex situ mean?

Answer

Protecting species outside their natural habitat.

💡 Hint

Outside habitat.

Card 3example

Question

What is reintroduction?

Answer

Returning individuals bred/kept ex situ back into suitable wild habitats.

💡 Hint

Back to wild.

Card 4example

Question

Define ex situ conservation.

Answer

Ex situ conservation protects a species outside its natural habitat (e.g., zoos, botanic gardens, seed banks).

💡 Hint

Outside habitat.

Card 5example

Question

Define ex situ conservation.

Answer

Ex situ conservation protects a species outside its natural habitat (e.g., zoos, botanic gardens, seed banks).

💡 Hint

Outside habitat.

Card 6example

Question

Name two ex situ examples.

Answer

Zoos/captive breeding programmes and seed banks (also botanic gardens).

💡 Hint

Zoo + seeds.

Card 7example

Question

Name three examples of ex situ conservation.

Answer

Zoos, botanic gardens, seed banks (also captive breeding).

💡 Hint

Zoo + seeds.

Card 8example

Question

Give one limitation of ex situ conservation.

Answer

Small captive populations can lead to low genetic diversity (bottleneck/inbreeding).

💡 Hint

Genetics risk.

Card 9example

Question

Name one condition needed for successful reintroduction.

Answer

The original threat must be removed or controlled (e.g., poaching stopped).

💡 Hint

Threat removed.

Card 10example

Question

Name three examples of ex situ conservation.

Answer

Zoos/wildlife parks, botanic gardens, and seed banks (also captive breeding and cryopreservation).

💡 Hint

Zoo + seeds.

Card 11example

Question

Why can ex situ be expensive?

Answer

It requires facilities, specialist staff, long-term care, and ongoing funding for breeding/management.

💡 Hint

High running costs.

Card 12example

Question

When is ex situ most useful?

Answer

When extinction risk is high and in situ protection is failing (e.g., habitat destroyed or threats cannot be controlled).

💡 Hint

Emergency backup.

Card 13example

Question

What is the biggest limitation of ex situ alone?

Answer

It does not fix habitat loss or threats in the wild.

💡 Hint

No habitat fix.

Card 14example

Question

Why can reintroduction fail even after captive breeding?

Answer

If habitat is still degraded/fragmented or threats continue, released animals may not survive or reproduce.

💡 Hint

Habitat not ready.

Card 15example

Question

What is one educational benefit of zoos/botanic gardens?

Answer

They raise awareness and can generate funding/support for conservation.

💡 Hint

Education + funding.

Card 16example

Question

What is one goal of captive breeding in ex situ programmes?

Answer

To increase population size safely and (when possible) supply individuals for later reintroduction.

💡 Hint

Breed then release.

Card 17example

Question

Why is genetic diversity a key exam point for ex situ?

Answer

Captive populations are often small, so inbreeding and bottlenecks can reduce adaptability and survival.

💡 Hint

Small pop → low variation.

Card 18example

Question

What is one behavioural issue for captive-bred animals?

Answer

They may lack survival skills (e.g., hunting/avoiding predators) and need training or gradual release.

💡 Hint

Skills gap.

Card 19example

Question

What must be true for reintroduction to work?

Answer

Threats must be reduced and habitat must be suitable to support the species again.

💡 Hint

Threats down + habitat ready.

Card 20example

Question

Why can ex situ not replace in situ conservation?

Answer

It does not protect ecosystems or remove the original threats, so long-term survival still depends on habitat protection.

💡 Hint

Doesn’t fix habitat.

Card 21example

Question

Why is ex situ often described as a “backup” strategy?

Answer

It buys time for a species while in situ threats are reduced and habitat is restored for possible reintroduction.

💡 Hint

Buys time.

Card 22example

Question

Why is monitoring important after reintroduction?

Answer

It checks survival, movement, and breeding success, and helps managers adjust protection if problems occur.

💡 Hint

Track success.

Read the notes

Full study notes for Ex situ conservation

Topic 3.6 hub

In situ vs ex situ conservation

Track your progress with spaced repetition

Start Free