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Unlock This CourseOur planet's biological resources are under constant threat from habitat loss, climate change and human activities. However, scientists have developed powerful tools to help protect and preserve these valuable resources. By combining traditional selective breeding with modern biotechnology, we can conserve genetic diversity, protect endangered species and ensure food security for future generations.
Key Definitions:
Selective breeding helps preserve rare crop varieties and wild plant species. Scientists collect seeds from different populations and breed them to maintain genetic diversity whilst improving useful traits like disease resistance.
Breeding programmes in zoos and wildlife reserves use careful genetic management to maintain healthy populations of endangered species and prevent inbreeding depression.
Seed banks are like libraries for genetic material. They store seeds, tissues and DNA from thousands of species to preserve them for the future. This is crucial because many crop varieties and wild species are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Seeds are carefully dried, tested for viability and stored at very low temperatures (often -18°C or colder). Under these conditions, seeds can remain viable for decades or even centuries. Regular testing ensures the stored material stays healthy and fresh samples are collected when needed.
Scientists gather seeds from wild populations and traditional crop varieties before they disappear.
Seeds are cleaned, dried to optimal moisture levels and tested for genetic purity and viability.
Processed seeds are sealed in containers and stored in freezers for long-term preservation.
Located in Norway's Arctic, this "Doomsday Vault" stores over one million seed samples from around the world. It acts as a backup for other seed banks and has already helped restore crops lost to war and natural disasters. The vault can store 4.5 million seed samples and is designed to last 1,000 years, even without human maintenance.
Modern biotechnology offers exciting new ways to conserve species and genetic resources. These techniques work alongside traditional methods to provide more options for preserving biodiversity.
Tissue culture involves growing plant or animal cells in sterile laboratory conditions. This technique can produce many identical copies of rare plants or preserve genetic material from endangered animals. Cryopreservation takes this further by storing living tissues at extremely low temperatures using liquid nitrogen (-196°C).
Small pieces of plant tissue can grow into complete plants in test tubes. This helps preserve rare orchids, medicinal plants and crop varieties that don't produce viable seeds.
Sperm, eggs and embryos from endangered animals can be frozen and stored for decades. This genetic material can later be used in breeding programmes or even cloning efforts.
Scientists can now extract and store DNA from specimens, creating genetic libraries that preserve information even after species become extinct. This DNA can help us understand evolutionary relationships and might even allow future scientists to recreate lost species.
DNA samples are collected from blood, tissue, or even museum specimens. Advanced techniques like DNA sequencing help scientists understand genetic diversity and identify populations that need protection. Some researchers are even working on "genetic rescue" - introducing genes from healthy populations to help struggling ones.
In 1987, only 27 California condors remained in the wild. Scientists captured all remaining birds and used careful breeding programmes, genetic management and biotechnology to increase their numbers. Today, over 500 condors exist, with more than 300 flying free. DNA analysis helped identify the best breeding pairs to maintain genetic diversity.
Traditional selective breeding remains a powerful conservation tool. By carefully choosing which individuals reproduce, scientists can maintain genetic diversity whilst improving survival traits.
Heritage varieties of crops like ancient wheat types or traditional potato varieties are bred to maintain their unique characteristics whilst improving disease resistance and yield.
Rare breeds of cattle, sheep and pigs are maintained through careful breeding programmes that preserve their genetic uniqueness and local adaptations.
Conservation breeding faces several challenges including small population sizes, loss of genetic diversity and limited funding. Scientists address these by using genetic testing to guide breeding decisions, coordinating between different conservation centres and developing new technologies to preserve genetic material more effectively.
The future of resource conservation lies in combining traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technology. New techniques like genome editing might help restore lost genetic diversity, whilst improved storage methods could preserve biological material for even longer periods.
Gene editing tools like CRISPR might help restore genetic diversity or remove harmful mutations from small populations.
International agreements and shared databases help coordinate conservation efforts worldwide.
Teaching people about conservation helps build support for protecting genetic resources and biodiversity.
Based at Kew Gardens in London, this project aims to collect and store seeds from 25% of the world's plant species by 2020. Working with partners in over 95 countries, they've already banked seeds from more than 40,000 species. The project focuses particularly on plants from dryland regions, which are most threatened by climate change.