environmental bio

sarah12345

whats the difference between conservation and preservation?

thanks

Reply 1

corkskrew

I think...

conservation is protecting a system from harm or danger but letting it behave as it normally would (as in conservation parks)
preservation is keeping something exactly as it is, not letting anything near it, as you would preserve a piece of ancient wood, or preserve a mouse in formaldehyde

Reply 2

undiscovered

Preservation implies a museum approach i.e. keeping things as they are. Conservation is a dynamic process involving management and reclamation. For example, the reclamation of a sand dune blow-out by the planting of marram grass. It may include surveys. Grazing animals can be used as a method of conservation because they keep grassland as it is rather than allowing succession. Conservation can also involve captive breeding and seed banks.

That's off a mark scheme from a past paper, which I memorised earlier! I think I've missed a few things off though.

thanks

Here ya go (mark scheme):

P1 P2 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 preservation implies a museum approach ; involves keeping things as they are ; conservation requires an active management approach ; to ensure the survival of (an endangered) species ; example ; surveys ; creating / making use of, nature reserves ; captive breeding ; release into wild ; seed banks / botanic gardens ; ref gene pool ; example of role in conservation ; e.g. reintroducing endangered species maintenance of existing habitats or ecosystems ; introduction of native species ; grazing or burning maintains grassland / other valid example ; prevents succession to, woodland / other valid climax ; reclamation of damaged habitats or ecosystems / habitat creation ; e.g. sand dune blow outs / other valid example ; by planting of marram grass / other valid example ; ref coppicing / pollarding ; conservation requires planning controls ; AVP ;