Question

Difficulty: EasyBiodiversity Conservation Strategies: In-situ and Ex-situ

Conservation of biological diversity can take place either within the natural ecosystem or in human-controlled artificial settings. Which of the following conservation methods is an example of an ex-situ conservation strategy?

  1. Seed banksAnswer
  2. B
    National parks
  3. C
    Biosphere reserves
  4. D
    Sacred groves

Answer

Seed banks represent an ex-situ conservation strategy.
Seed banks preserve genetic material (seeds) in controlled artificial environments off-site, making them a standard ex-situ conservation method.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Recall the definitions of in-situ and ex-situ biodiversity conservation.
In-situ conservation involves protecting species within their natural habitats. Ex-situ conservation involves protecting species outside their natural habitats in artificial environments.
Categorization depends strictly on whether the conservation site is natural (on-site) or artificial/off-site.
2
Classify the given options based on conservation location.
National parks, biosphere reserves, and sacred groves preserve plants and animals within their native habitats (in-situ). Seed banks collect and store plant germplasm off-site in refrigerated repositories (ex-situ).
Seed banks operate in controlled facilities separate from natural habitats.

Key Concept

Ex-situ conservation refers to off-site preservation techniques, such as seed banks, botanical gardens, zoological parks, and cryopreservation.
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