Question

Explain any three ways other than zoological parks, botanical gardens and wildlife safaries, by which threatened species of plants and animals are being conserved ‘ex situ’.

Answer 1

The different ways by which the threatened species of the plants and animals are being conserved ex situ are:

1. Seed bank: It is possible for seeds to exhibit different dormant periods. As a result, many seed plants can be kept for extended periods of time in tiny packets as seeds. Seed banks, gene banks, or germplasm banks are locations where seeds are kept.
2. Cryopreservation: Any living plant organ or part of it that can be used to create an entire new plant is referred to as germplasm. This makes use of the liquid nitrogen cryopreservation method at a temperature of −196°C. Micropropagation is a tissue culture technique used to multiply plants.
3. Animal translocation: It involves releasing animals into a new area. It occurs in the following situations:
   1. A species is endemic or localized.
   2. An animal’s dependence on a species makes it rare.
   3. Because of unfavorable circumstances and the breakdown of habits.
   4. Population growth in a region.