Variation in the DNA sequence between distinct individuals of a given species (or population). The degree of genetic diversity can be compared between individuals or populations. Capturing the breadth of existing genetic diversity is the goal of a conservation collection.
Valerie Pence and Megan Philpott, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Crotalaria avonensis is a Florida endemic found in three populations and characterized by low seed production. In the late 1990s, CREW developed protocols for tissue culture propagation from field collected shoot cuttings as well as cryopreservation methods. In order to develop a genetically representative collection […]
Christa Horn and Joyce Maschinski, San Diego Zoo Global and Center for Plant Conservation The primary purpose of a conservation collection is to support species’ survival and reduce the extinction risk of globally and/or regionally rare species. A conservation collection is an ex situ (offsite) collection of seeds, plant tissues, or whole plants that has […]
Jordan Wood, Jeremie Fant, Andrea Kramer and Kay Havens, Chicago Botanic Garden Genetics becomes important whenever populations become small (<100). This includes loss o fgenetic diversity from drift, increased expression of deleterious genes due to inbreeding, and limiting local adaptation. Since many species of plants are able to be seed banked, it is possible to […]
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