Conservation and Biodiversity of Medicinal Plants

Question 1

What is conservation?

Answer 1

Conservation is the careful management, preservation and protection of natural resources, such as plants, wildlife and their habitats.

Question 2

What is biodiversity?

Answer 2

Biodiversity is the variety of all living things: plants, animals, microorganisms, and their interactions.

Question 3

What are the three levels of biodiversity?

Answer 3

1. Species diversity
2. Genetic diversity
3. Ecosystem diversity

Question 4

What is species diversity?

Answer 4

This is the number of different species in a given area and their relative abundance.

Question 5

What is genetic diversity?

Answer 5

This refers to the range of different inherited traits within a species.

Question 6

What is Ecosystem diversity?

Answer 6

This refers to the variety of habitats, communities in a geographic location, the beneficial services they provide and the processes that support ecosystem.

Question 6

What are medicinal plants?

Answer 6

Medicinal plants are plants that contain substances that can be used for therapeutic purposes or as a precursor for the synthesis of useful drugs.

Question 6

What are the core objectives of biodiversity conservation?

Answer 6

1. To identify and recognise diversity of species
2. To preserve the diversity of species
3. Sustainable utilisation of species and ecosystem

Question 7

What is an endangered species?

Answer 7

An animal or plant species that is considered at risk of extinction e.g Rauwolfia serpentina, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Tylophora indica

Question 8

What is a threatened species?

Answer 8

A species that is vulnerable to extinction in the near future e.g Baobab, Dennettia tripetala.

Question 9

What is an extinct species?

Answer 9

A species of which there is no living memeber. The last member is dead.

Question 10

What is In situ conservation?

Answer 10

It is the method of conserving the living species, especially the wild and endangered species in their natural habitats and environment.

Question 11

What is Ex situ conservation?

Answer 11

It means the conservation of species outside their natural habitats.

Question 12

Mention 4 methods of Ex situ conservation?

Answer 12

1. In vitro: plant tissue cultures, slow growth cultures
2. Cryopreservation
3. DNA banking
4. Field gene banks/ Seed gene banks

Question 13

What are 3 problems with Ex situ conservation?

Answer 13

1. Genetic erosion due to genetic drift and inbreeding
2. Loss of adaptations to the wild
3. Genetic load, hybridisation and introgression.

Question 14

Give 3 examples of in situ conservation.

Answer 14

1. Biosphere reserves
2. National parks
3. Wildlife sanctuaries