Genetic Conservation, Types and Strategies

Name: Rida Zahra

Registration No: L1S20BSBT0047
Section/Semester: AT6
Course title: Genetic Resources
Couse Code: GRC1033
Submitted to: Sir Hafiz Muzzammel Rehman

Faculty of life sciences

2023
Table of contents:
1. Abstract……………………………………………………………………..Page 1
2. Introduction……………………………………………………………….Page 1
3. Types of genetic conservation…………………………………….Page 2
4. In-situ conservation…………………………………………………….Page 2
5. Ex-situ conservation…………………………………………………….Page 2
6. Conservation strategies……………………………………………….Page 3
7. In-situ strategies………………………………………………………….Page 3
8. Importance of in-situ……………………………………………………Page 4
9. Ex-situ strategies………………………………………………………….Page 4
10. Importance of ex-situ…………………………………………………..Page 5
11. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………Page 5
12. References……………………………………………………………………Page 6
13. Plagiarism report…………………………………………………………..Page 7
Genetic Conservation:
Abstract:
Population genomics' interdisciplinary area of conservation genetics studies the patterns of
alleles in communities with the primary goal of preventing extinction. As a result, it uses genetic
techniques for biodiversity preservation and rehabilitation. Numerous academic disciplines,
including genetic studies, cellular ecology, science, evolutionary psychology, and cytogenetics,
have researchers working on conservation genetic studies.
Being one of the three basic types of biodiversity, genetic diversity is crucial for conservation.
Because decreasing genetic variety has been linked to poor fitness, including higher infant
death rate , reduced growth, impaired immunity, and fast extinction risk, it affects the wellness
and long term sustainability of populations.
Different types of conservation strategies are being made to diminish the loss of genes from the
environment including both the present useful species along with their wild relatives. This leads
to more research and more bio diversity. The preserved genes can be later used when genes of
a specific specie are seen to be lost or when native genes are required that are no longer
present in the present species.

Introduction:
The use of genetics to comprehend and lower the danger of community and extinction of
species is known as conservation genetics. It covers biological factors (interbreeding and mislay
of gene variation) that gives rise to rareness, jeopardy, and eradication, genetic organisation to
diminish these effects, and the utilization of biomarkers to aid in clarifying taxonomy similarities
in vulnerable species, recognising their physiology, and also in native animals forensic analysis.
This is a practical discipline that uses genomics, molecular genetics, and evolutionary genetics
(CBD, 2010).
Because of human activity, whether directly or indirectly, the evolutionary divergence of the
globe is fast disappearing, necessitating the need for preservation species. Unknown but
significant numbers of species already have gone extinct, and many others have negative
population growth that endanger them. To assure the survival of many species, human
involvement is now necessary (Maxted et al., 2000).
The concept "genetic conservation" was first used to express the discipline of controlling
particular genes or phenotypic qualities in agricultural plants, terrestrial races and varieties,
fungi and bacteria utilised in food production, and domesticated animals much before the term
"conservation genetics" was developed.
Types of genetic conservation:
In situ Conservation:
This conservation strategy refers to the preservation alongwith restoration of a species'
valuable population in its native location as well as its protection in its native environment. In
contrast to ex situ conservation, it keeps the matter where it was originally discovered and
preserves the natural evolutionary process.
It refers to techniques for protecting all living things, particularly untamed and vulnerable
species in their natural environments. Biosphere reserves, parks, sanctuaries, and other places
are included in in situ biodiversity conservation (Wang & Li, 2021).

Ex-situ Conservation:
Ex situ conservation is the preservation of specific animal and plant species beyond their native
environment. Through this conservation, the stressors on living things resulting from
competition for resources like nutrition, hydration, and shelter can be reduced, thereby
creating the conditions required for a healthy life and successful reproduction. Identification of
the species that need to be conserved is the first step in this conservation.  Afterward, various
ex-situ techniques should be used, such as protracted breeding programs and regeneration for
species that have lost forever their habitats, quick dissemination and discharge of the animals
in their native ecosystems, wildlife translocation and reestablishment, and high tech for
threatened animals (Pritchard et al., 2012).
The techniques used to preserve all living things in beautiful habitats that mimic their actual
dwelling areas. Terrariums, arboretum, cryogenics, DNA vaults, zoo, and other similar facilities
serve as examples of ex situ biodiversity protection.

Conservation strategies:
In-situ conservation strategies:
1. Zoo: The 3 core facets of preservation that zoos put focus on are practise, awareness,
and analysis. Breeding programs, animal re-establishment initiatives, specie
preservation strategies, and utilisation of zoo earnings for conservation strategies in the
field are all examples of conservation practises.
2. Sanctuaries: A wildlife sanctuary serves as a refuge for wounded creatures and animals
saved from poachers, illegal trade, and other animal tragedies. Wildlife rehabilitation
centres which have taken in abused animals with the goal of eventually releasing these
into their natural environment (Ross & Leinwand, 2020).
 3. Botanical gardens: These dedicate their assets to the analysis and preservation of flora
along with educating the local people about the variety of species of plants discovered
around the world. They are important in providing human needs and upholding
wellbeing (Primack, 2009).
4. National Parks: This is a piece of land set aside by a country's official authorities for the
intention of conservation. A sovereign nation regularly proclaims or possesses a
preserve of native, half-natural, or constructed region (Abebe & Bekele, 2018).
5. Biosphere reserves: "Learning sites for environmental sustainability" are biosphere
reserves. In addition to crisis resolution and diversity conservation, they serve as testing
grounds for different approaches to comprehending and controlling alterations and
interconnections between ecological and social systems.

Importance of In-Situ Conservation:

- A functioning laboratory for researching the genetic variation of the wildlife species that
are the ancestors of contemporary crops can be found in in situ preserves. Regional or
national organisations in charge of wildlife and conserved areas have traditionally
worked with the conservation of ecosystems and species variety.
- The fact that in-situ conservation preserves the entire ecosystem rather than just a
specific species is a significant benefit. Conservation groups consider it to be
much effective as a result. You assist the environment where the species can thrive in
addition to assisting the species in thriving.

Ex-situ Conservation Strategies:

1. Seed banks: A seed bank, also known as a germplasm bank, is a location where ideal
circumstances are upheld to preserve seed samples of various plant species both wild
and cultivated . To assure the future preservation of as much plants as feasible is the
goal, which is very obvious. Suitable conditions of temperature and moisture content
are maintained in this.
2. Field gene banks: Field genebanks offer quick and easy accesibility to plants gene
pool for identification, assessment, or usage, whereas seeds, in-vitro, or cryo-preserved
material must be propagated, rejuvenated, or cultivated before it may be used.
3. Cryopreservation: Cryopreservation is the method of maintaining durable living
tissues and cells at quite cold temperatures. It aims  to investigate some of the
processes underlying in uncontrolled chilling, which is typically fatal, and to
demonstrate how refrigeration can be employed to create stable circumstances that
safeguard life. In this the materials to be used are stored in liquid nitrogen (Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2012).
 4. In vivo conservation: The term "in vivo conservation" refers to a variety of steps that
can be taken to protect livestock and other herds or varieties that are in danger of going
extinct. It is mainly used for breeding purposes (FOA, 2013).

Importance of ex-situ conservation:

Ex situ conservation serves a number of functions.
1. The preservation of the germplasm.
2. Creates data for habitats, terrain, along with relocation management, reinforcements,
and restoration.
3. The formation of statistics for conservation biology study.

Conclusion:
It is obvious that conservation genetics must be used to manage biodiversity. It is due to the
ongoing situations, where numerous life forms are deteriorating toward eradication, where
knowing the link between evolutionary aspects such as point mutations, non random
copulating, genetic recombination, gene flow, and evolutionary theory in population/species
preservation is very essential. Consequently, it is hoped to offer succinct justifications for the
significance of incorporating conservation genetics to manage biodiversity. In particular, to
individuals who are less familiar with the range of genetic preservation investigations (Maxted
et al., 2000).
A fast evolving field that is still very important for managing the growing list of endangered
species and populations is conservation genetics. The success of vulnerable populations over
the long term depends on the early concepts that emphasised the significance of preserving
genetic diversity within populations and reducing interbreeding. These issues are becoming
more urgent because to the continued impacts of climate change, loss of habitat, and
segmentation, as an increasing number of natural communities are endangered by the sharp
declines in their species' ranges and frequency.Wildlife, flora, and other living things may be put
in risk when their habitats are destroyed or altered. We can aid in the preservation of
endangered and threatened species by organising these environments (Hoffmann, 2010).
References:
Abebe, F. B., & Bekele, S. E. (2018). Challenges to National Park Conservation and Management
in Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural Science, 10(5), 52.
https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v10n5p52
CBD. (2010). Uses of genetic resources. Convention on Biological Diversity-ABS, 1–8.
https://www.cbd.int/abs/infokit/factsheet-uses-en.pdf
FOA. (2013). In vivo conservation of animal genetic resources. In FAO Animal Production and
Health Guidelines (Issue 14).
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2012). Cryoconservation of Animal
Genetic Resources. In FAO Animal Production and Health Guidelines (Vol. 12).
http://www.fao.org/3/i3017e/i3017e00.htm
Hoffmann, I. (2010). Climate change and the characterization, breeding and conservation of
animal genetic resources. Animal Genetics, 41(SUPPL. 1), 32–46.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2010.02043.x
Maxted, N., Ford-Lloyd, B. V., & Hawkes, J. G. (2000). Complementary conservation strategies.
Plant Genetic Conservation, 7, 15–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1437-7_2
Primack, R. B. (2009). change research. 303–313.
Pritchard, D. J., Fa, J. E., Oldfield, S., & Harrop, S. R. (2012). Bring the captive closer to the wild:
Redefining the role of ex situ conservation. Oryx, 46(1), 18–23.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605310001766
Ross, S. R., & Leinwand, J. G. (2020). A review of research in primate sanctuaries. Biology
Letters, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0033
Wang, W., & Li, J. (2021). In-situ conservation of biodiversity in China: Advances and prospects.
Biodiversity Science, 29(2), 133–149. https://doi.org/10.17520/BIODS.2020070