4.2.8 conservation 'ex situ' Flashcards
1
Q
conservation ex situ
A
conservation outside of normal habitat of species
2
Q
describe a zoo as an example of ex situ conservation
A
- important role in conservation
- many concentrate on captive breeding endangered species & conducting research which should benefit them
- modern reproductive techniques can preserve large amounts of genetic material
- artificial insemination, in vitro fertilisation & embryo-transfer also being used
- some may carry out research on domestic/common wild species similar to target species = endangered species spared from experimental research & benefit in long term
3
Q
examples of modern reproductive techniques
A
freezing sperm, eggs & embryo
4
Q
advantages of ex situ conservation
A
- organisms protected from predation/poaching
- health of individuals monitored & medical assistance available
- populations can be divided so if disaster strikes 1 population, the other survives
- genetic diversity of population measured
- selective breeding = increase genetic diversity
- modern reproductive technology used to increase chance of reproductive success
- animals/plants bred to increase numbers
- research into reproductive physiology, lifestyle & ecology of endangered species made easier
- conservation sites can be used as attractions to raise funds for further conservation efforts
- conservation sites used for education
5
Q
disadvantages of ex situ conservation
A
- captive population likely to have limited genetic diversity
- animals exposed to wide range of diseases
- organisms living outside natural habitat
- nutritional issues difficult to manage
- animals may not behave normally & reproduction may be difficult
- correct environmental conditions for survival difficult to achieve
- may be expensive to maintain suitable environmental conditions
- even if reproduction successful, animals must survive reintroduction to wild where they survive predation & find food
- when reintroduced, there’s difficulties with acceptance by existing wild members of species
6
Q
describe a botanic gardens as an example of ex situ conservation
A
- most plants have dormant stage = seed
- seeds can be collected from wild w/out causing too much disturbance
- seeds stored & germinated in protected surroundings
- stored in huge numbers w/out occupying much space
- plants often bred asexually
- botanic garden can increase numbers of individual plants quickly through techniques eg. tissue culture
- captive-bred individuals replanted into wild
7
Q
issues with botanic gardens as an example of ex situ conservation
A
- funding botanic garden is difficult as public perception of plant isn’t same as animals & fewer people willing to sponsor/donate
- collecting wild seeds always causes some disturbance
- seeds collected from 1 area may be genetically different to another area & not succeed in different area
- collected samples may not be representative of genetic diversity
- seeds stored for any length of time may not be viable
- plants bred asexually will be genetically identical = reduce genetic diversity
- conclusions from research based on small sample may not be valid for whole species
8
Q
describe seed banks
A
- collection of seed samples
- contain seeds viable foe decades/possibly hundreds of years
- however, seeds not simply being stored
- some used to provide range of benefits to humanity eg. providing seed for crops, disease-resistant crops for agriculture
- seeds also used for habitat reclamation & repopulation of endangered habitats
9
Q
storage of seeds in seed banks
A
- very dry/freezing conditions
- resistant to desiccation
- level of moisture in each seed has direct effect on storage
- every 1% increase in moisture = life span doubles
- every 5 degree reduction in temp. = life span doubles
- seeds stored for decades may deteriorate so essential to test seeds at regular intervals to check viability
- germination rates monitored & research into physiology of seed dormancy/germination is carried out = discovery of most effective methods of storage
