6.2.7.2. Ex-situ conservation

The conservation of elements of biodiversity out of the context of their natural habitats is referred to as ex-situ conservation.

Ex-situ conservation means preserving species outside their natural environment. This is important because it allows us to protect species from extinction in their native habitats, which may be threatened by factors like habitat loss or environmental changes. By removing these species and keeping them in safer environments, we can ensure their survival.

Think of ex-situ conservation like taking a rare flower from a garden that is about to be paved over for a new building. By moving the flower to a greenhouse or botanical garden, we protect it from being destroyed, allowing it to thrive in a controlled and safe environment.

Zoos, botanical gardens and seed banks are all examples of ex-situ conservation.

Ex-situ conservation can involve several methods, such as keeping animals in zoos, cultivating plants in botanical gardens, or storing seeds in seed banks. Each of these methods has specific purposes. Zoos aim to educate the public and breed endangered animals, botanical gardens cultivate and preserve plant species for study and education, and seed banks store seeds to ensure the survival of plant species even if they become extinct in the wild.

Imagine a small town library that preserves rare books. Just like the library keeps these books safe for future generations, zoos and botanical gardens keep rare species alive and help them reproduce, ensuring their existence for years to come.

i) National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) is located in New Delhi. Here agricultural and horticultural crops are stored by cryopreservation of seeds, pollens, etc. by using liquid nitrogen at a low temperature as low as -196°C.

The NBPGR plays a critical role in ex-situ conservation by preserving genetic material of important crops. By using cryopreservation, they freeze seeds and pollen at extremely low temperatures. This technique allows them to store these materials safely for a long time, ensuring that crop varieties are not lost and can be revived in the future for research or agricultural purposes.

Think of cryopreservation like storing food in a freezer. Just as your freezer keeps food fresh for later use, cryopreservation keeps seeds viable so they can be planted in the future, even if the original plants disappear.

ii) National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) located at Karnal, Haryana. It preserves the semen of domesticated bovine animals.

NBAGR focuses on preserving the genetic material of domesticated animals, particularly cattle. By storing semen, they can help prevent the loss of specific breeds that might be at risk. This genetic preservation ensures that even if a breed's population dwindles, we can still breed them in the future to maintain their lineage.

Imagine a farmer saving seeds from a particular type of corn that's unique and has a great flavor. By keeping that seed safe, the farmer can plant it again even if that type goes away from the market. Similarly, NBAGR keeps a record of animal genetics to ensure unique breeds can be saved and bred again.

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