In-situ conservation refers to the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings. Ex-situ conservation involves protecting an endangered species or isolated populations outside of their natural habitats, such as in zoos, botanic gardens, seed banks, and gene banks. The key difference is that in-situ conservation maintains species within their natural ecosystems, while ex-situ conservation occurs outside of the species' natural habitats.