Give several examples of in situ and ex situ conservation. What are advantages and disadvantages of ...

Answer to q. 1

Concepts to Consider: In situ conservation efforts include national parks, forests, and
refuges--disadvantages revolve around their multiple uses, including allowing hunting,
livestock grazing, development for fossil fuels, and military uses, but advantages include
large size, and the possibility of conserving biodiversity in the wild; ex situ conservation
efforts include zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, as well as artificial insemination, host
mothering, and captive breeding--drawbacks are related to their relatively limited focus on a
few species, but advantages allow countries with more financial resources to captive breed
endangered species for reintroduction.

Answer to q. 2

Concepts to Consider: 1) almost any species with relatively limited or very large habitat
requirements or range; 2) introduction of the zebra mussel to the American Great Lakes has
impacted native bivalve populations; goats to some of the Galapagos Islands; sheep and other
mammals to Hawaii; all of which have had impacts on terrestrial endemic species,
particularly birds; 3) the passenger pigeon, tigers, bears, rhinos, elephants; 4) prairie dogs,
Carolina parakeet, wolves; 5) imported or collected animals for sale as pets; both plants and
animals sold to collectors; and plants, particularly carnivorous plants, cacti, and orchids.