Conservation ex situ Conservation ex situ means conserving an endangered species by activities that take place outside its normal habitat. Zoos, botanic gardens, and seed banks are all examples of ex situ conservation.

Zoos Traditionally, zoos were personal collections of animals, held by their ‘owner’, and were unusual to the public. More recently, zoos are thought of as ‘wildlife parks’ and now play a very important part in conservation. Many concentrate on captive breeding and conducting research. Modern reproductive techniques are being used with wild animals, and more common species are being used to conduct experimental research, as the more common species can be closely related to the target endangered species.

Botanic Gardens As with modern zoos, modern botanic gardens are integral for the conservation of endangered plant species. Seeds can be collected from the wild without causing too much damage or disturbance. The seeds can then be germinated in protected surroundings. Then, the endangered plants can be bred asexually, to increase the population of different species very quickly. The captive-bred individuals can then be planted in the wild. However, there are problems. Funding for botanic gardens is difficult, as people generally don’t care as much about rare plants as much as they do about rare animals. Collecting wild species will always cause disturbances. Seeds stored for any length of time may no longer be viable. Plants bred asexually will be genetically identical – lowering genetic diversity. Seeds collected from one area in the wild may not succeed in another area, due to genetic differences.

Seed Banks Seed banks contain seeds that can remain viable for decades and maybe even hundreds of years. Seed banks provide seeds for food crops, building materials for rural communities, and disease resistant crops for agriculture. Seeds are stored in very dry and freezing conditions, to prolong viability. For every 5⁰C reduction in temperature, the life span doubles. For every 1% reduction in seed moisture, the life span also doubles. However some seeds will deteriorate after decades, and there’s little use for seeds that die. So it is essential for seeds to be checked at regular intervals.

Advantages and disadvantages Organisms are protected from predation and poaching Health of organisms can be monitored Genetic diversity can be monitored Selective breeding can be carried out to increase diversity Important research can be conducted in controlled environments Conservation sites can be used as attractions to raise funds for further efforts. Conservation sites can be used for education Disadvantages: Captive population is likely to have limited diversity The organisms are living outside their natural habitat Nutritional issues can be difficult to manage Animals may not behave as normal, and reproduction may be difficult The correct environmental conditions needed to survive may be difficult to achieve. If achieved, they may be expensive to maintain When organisms are reintroduced into the wild, there can be difficulties with acceptance by the existing wild members of the species