A4.2.7—Conservation approaches
Conservation combines in situ protection, reserve design, active management, rewilding, and ex situ methods according to species needs and threats.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- A4.2.7
- Level
- HL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing11%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2025
Most common paperPaper3
Typical marks2–3
Common command terms
- Discuss
- Outline
- Distinguish
- Explain
- Suggest
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Defining in situ and ex situ without linking each approach to its conservation advantages and limits.
Recent exam appearances
May 2025Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ26(c)(ii)[ 1 ]A4.2.7—Conservation approaches
May 2024Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ118[ 3 ]A4.2.7—Conservation approaches
May 2023Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ117(b)[ 2 ]A4.2.7—Conservation approaches
May 2019Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ217[ 3 ]A4.2.7—Conservation approaches
May 2018Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ117(b)[ 3 ]A4.2.7—Conservation approaches
Practice this objective
Coverage 2012–2025 · Updated 15 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- In situ conservation protects species within their natural habitats and communities.
- Ex situ conservation preserves species outside natural habitats through controlled collections or breeding programmes.
- Large connected reserves reduce fragmentation and support movement, gene flow and larger populations.
- Rewilding restores natural processes by reintroducing native species, rebuilding connectivity or reducing human pressure.