Preservation is the protection of an area or ecosystem by keeping it in its present, untouched state, with little or no human interference. Human use of the area is restricted or banned.The difference between the two approaches is important:• Conservation involves active management and allows sustainable use of resources by humans; it may change or restore a habitat.
• Preservation aims to leave the ecosystem as it is; resources are not harvested, and access is usually limited to scientific research or strictly controlled visits.Preservation is most suitable for ecosystems that are still in a natural, undisturbed state and that are very sensitive to disturbance, or that contain unique or endangered species found nowhere else.Examples:• Antarctica: the Antarctic Treaty system protects the continent for peace and science; mining is banned and activities are strictly regulated.
• Some areas of ancient woodland and strict nature reserves, where the public is not allowed.
• Sacred groves and sites, protected for religious or cultural reasons.Preservation has limitations. Many habitats in the UK, such as heathland and hay meadows, are plagioclimaxes: if they were simply left alone, succession would turn them into woodland and their characteristic species would be lost. These habitats therefore need conservation (active management) rather than preservation.Preservation also provides no direct economic return, which can make it hard to justify where local people depend on the land.
• Preservation aims to leave the ecosystem as it is; resources are not harvested, and access is usually limited to scientific research or strictly controlled visits.Preservation is most suitable for ecosystems that are still in a natural, undisturbed state and that are very sensitive to disturbance, or that contain unique or endangered species found nowhere else.Examples:• Antarctica: the Antarctic Treaty system protects the continent for peace and science; mining is banned and activities are strictly regulated.
• Some areas of ancient woodland and strict nature reserves, where the public is not allowed.
• Sacred groves and sites, protected for religious or cultural reasons.Preservation has limitations. Many habitats in the UK, such as heathland and hay meadows, are plagioclimaxes: if they were simply left alone, succession would turn them into woodland and their characteristic species would be lost. These habitats therefore need conservation (active management) rather than preservation.Preservation also provides no direct economic return, which can make it hard to justify where local people depend on the land.