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Ex Situ Conservation

Ex situ conservation, using sample populations, is done through establishment of 'gene banks', which include genetic resource centres, zoos, botanical gardens, culture collections, etc. Although the phrase 'gene banks' often refers to only ex-situ conservation facilities, they do include in-situ conservation methods, which include national parks and sanctuaries.

This has become particularly important for conservation of crop varieties and  wild genetic resources, because of their utility in future crop improvement and afforestation programmes. However, there has been a competition for relative allocation of efforts directed towards in situ and ex situ conservation. For instance in 1987, for ex situ programmes, USA allowed only1% of a total of 37.5 million dollars meant for biodiversity conservation, excluding contributions to international systems of gene banks. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) however, advocated equality for in situ and ex situ conservation efforts. In view of this, efforts and funding for ex situ conservation were enhanced in recent years.

Practical action on ex situ genetic resource conservation and its use can be divided into following four major eras

Four Eras of ex situ Genetic Resource Conservation and use, with timeline of conservation events

Four Eras and Their Elements
Era of plant Exploration and Introduction Acquistion collection

1850

 

1950

 Int Situ Conservation national and Institutional Sources
Era Conservation Salvage of Local Varieties Training Programmes begin

1950

 

1970
multilaternal funding through CGIAR, IPGRI and FAO
Era Regeneration and New International Collecting

1980

 

2010
Increased bilateral Support to Supplement Continuing Multilateral commitment
Era more Efficient Utilization closer linkages with Breeders

2010

 

 

2030
expected increase in private funding; increased resources from developing countryprogrammes; multilateral funding through CRIAR, FAO and IPGRI

(i) In the first era (1850-1950), utility of genetic resources was tested and genetic resources introduced. (ii) In the second phase (1950 1970), a wide spectrum of genetic resources were conserved, due to their utility. (iii) In the third phase (1980-2010), long term viability of the investment in collections is ensured. (iv) In the fourth phase (2010-2030), there will be enhanced exploitation, through breeding programmes.

 
 

 
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