Conservation · Botany

Which of the following is a disadvantage of Ex-situ conservation?

  1. It fully protects plants from natural disasters in the wild
  2. It allows for easier controlled research and selective breeding
  3. It provides a backup population for extinct-in-the-wild species
  4. It can cause the loss of adaptive traits and genetic diversity
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Correct answer: It can cause the loss of adaptive traits and genetic diversity

Ex-situ conservation removes plants from the selective pressures of their natural environment. Over time, this can lead to 'domestication' and the loss of traits necessary for survival if the species is reintroduced to the wild.

Difficulty: Medium Question 10 of 20

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