What is the term used to describe the conservation of species in their natural habitat?

The term that describes the conservation of species in their natural habitat is in situ conservation. This practice focuses on protecting and preserving species within their own ecosystems, allowing them to thrive in the environment where they have naturally evolved. In situ conservation is essential because it maintains the natural interactions and relationships that species have with their environment, which are crucial for their survival and reproduction.

In situ conservation is important for biodiversity as it encompasses not just individual species, but entire ecosystems, ensuring a holistic approach to conservation. This method helps to retain the genetic diversity of species and the ecological processes that support life.

Ex situ conservation, on the other hand, involves taking species out of their natural habitats and placing them in controlled environments, such as zoos or botanical gardens, which can lead to challenges in terms of re-establishing populations back into the wild. Restoration ecology focuses on restoring ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed, rather than on the conservation of existing ones in their natural habitat. Wildlife management is a broader term that refers to the practices intended to manage, protect, and sustain wildlife populations and their habitats, which may include both in situ and ex situ approaches.