Question

Which one of the following is not used for ex situ plant conservation?

• A. Botanical gardens
• B. Shifting cultivation
• C. Seed banks
• D. Field gene banks

Answer 1

The correct option is B Shifting cultivation

Ex situ conservation

• Ex situ (off site) conservation is the approach of conserving species by taking them out from their natural habitats and then keeping them in a special setup under human care.
• Zoological, botanical and wildlife sanctuary parks, in vitro fertilisation, cryopreservation, seed bank and tissue culture belong to this approach of conservation.

Shifting cultivation
Shifting cultivation is carried out by clearing forests to use the land area for agriculture, for a short time period like a few years and then abandoning it. This type of agriculture is harmful for the ecosystem as well as the biodiversity.

Botanical gardens
In botanical gardens, threatened plant species are taken from their natural habitats and kept there for conservation purposes. It is an ex situ conservation approach.

Field gene banks
Field gene banks are a conservation practice of cultivating plants in a designated area with an aim of conserving the genes of particular plant species. It is an ex situ conservation approach.

Seed banks
Seed banks are an example of ex situ conservation because in seed banks seeds are protected in a controlled manner to conserve plant species.