3cWfE - Research - Biodiversity Conservation
3cWfE - Research - Biodiversity Conservation
European forests in the face of increasing demands for fuel and building
materials. National parks, first established in the 19th century, were dedicated
wildlife but to protect watershed areas and help ensure a clean water supply.
which only about 1.75 million species have been scientifically described. The
Species that live in the ocean and in soils remain poorly known. For most
the Equator, and the vast majority of species are concentrated in the tropical
area. All species display genetic variation among individuals and populations.
improved varieties of animals and plants for human needs. Diversity in wild
further food security. It should also be noted that species that might not have
in the future.
Ethiopian Birr every year that are crucial to the well being of Ethiopia’s society.
These services include clean water, pure air, soil formation and protection,
pollination, crop pest control, and the provision of foods, fuel, fibers and drugs.
As elsewhere, these services are not widely recognized, nor are they properly
diversity of genes, species and habitats. Losing biodiversity is like losing the
life support systems that we, and other species, so desperately depend upon.
development. It provides flexibility and options for our current (and future)
rural areas, and a large part of this population depends directly or indirectly
Biodiversity Conservation has implemented the two methods for a long time
a. In-situ conservation
from predators. This term refers also to the conservation of genetic resources
is that this strategy helps ensure the ongoing processes of evolution and
This involves the protection of wildlife habitats. Also, sufficiently large reserves
are maintained to enable the target species to exist in large numbers. The
population size must be sufficient to enable the necessary genetic diversity to
b. Ex-situ Conservation
which may be a wild area or within the care of humans. While ex-situ
original colony location given the large number of variables defining the
plants) or trap (in the case of animals) the required organisms without undue
harm.
laboratory facility in which the seeds of certain species can be preserved for
refer to a special type of arboretum where seeds are harvested and the crop
is rotated. For plants that cannot be preserved in seedbanks, the only other
species, its symbiotic counterparts, or those elements which, over time, might
altogether. The downside to this is that, when re-released, the species may
lack the genetic adaptations and mutations which would allow it to thrive in
this manner cannot provide a profit but instead slowly drain the financial
Seedbanks are ineffective for certain plant genera with recalcitrant seeds that
do not remain fertile for long periods of time. Diseases and pests foreign to
the species, to which the species has no natural defense, may also cripple
man, make ex-situ conservation impossible for a great number of the world’s