Preservation, Conservation and Restoration of Ecosystems

Because human activities threaten ecosystems, three complementary approaches are used to look after them: preservation, conservation and restoration.

Preservation

Preservation means protecting an ecosystem in its natural, untouched state, keeping human interference to a minimum. This is done by gazetting national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and forest reserves where activities such as logging and hunting are banned.

Conservation

Conservation means the wise and sustainable use of natural resources so that they are not used up and remain available for future generations. Unlike preservation, conservation allows careful use.

• Selective logging and replanting instead of clear-felling.
• Fishing quotas and closed seasons to allow stocks to recover.
• Ex-situ methods such as zoos, botanical gardens and seed banks, and in-situ protection in the natural habitat.

Restoration

Restoration means repairing a damaged ecosystem so that it returns as far as possible to its original condition. Examples include reforestation of cleared land, rehabilitating ex-mining pools, and coral reef and mangrove replanting. Restoration often takes many years because a mature ecosystem is complex, so it is always better to prevent damage than to repair it later. These three approaches work best together: important habitats are preserved, resources outside them are conserved through wise use, and areas that have already been harmed are restored. In Malaysia, bodies such as the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and non-governmental organisations run captive-breeding and replanting programmes, while public awareness campaigns encourage everyone to play a part in caring for natural ecosystems.