A relict species population is a population that currently occurs in a restricted area, but whose original range was far wider during a previous geologic epoch. Threatened plant species with small geographic range and small population size are most at risk of extinction and the highest priority in urgent conservation programs. As for the relict endemic species, which witnessed during the past 50 years a significant decrease in the geographical area and population size, it is one of the most important primary goals of conservation, whether in situ or ex situ. In some cases, ex situ conservation is the only available solution to protect a species from extinction and to ensure the possibility of an attempt to return to the wild after its extinction after the improvement of the surrounding environmental conditions. Unfortunately, some species depend on the range of environmental variables so small that by changing the organism cannot adapt to and it becomes extinct. For example, in the cases of plants that depend on the availability of a constant and continuous water source throughout the year, they are subject to a significant collapse in the absence of that water, especially in desert environments. The question now is, how can we increase the chances of conserving these species through in situ practices, given the weak opportunities for long-term financing?
In the current scenario of climate change and anthropogenic pressures gradual decrease of natural habitats is agreeable. In situ conservation also limits to certain areas where the species diversity is more. Many challenges like lack of sufficient financial resources to conserve all the threatened species, Unable to adapt new habitats etc. My opinion is relict species are evolutionarily ancient, and narrow in geographical area and low populations. Practicing In situ conservation approach is more suitable one to conserve relict species.
Opportunities by conserving relict species are
The continuity of species existence and the use of bioresources from the relict species. Preserving of relict species is of great ecological importance.
Thanks Pasupuleti Sivaramakrishna
Its really important and critical issue
The conservation of these species is a global responsibility, not just a national responsibility. Some of them have medical, economic and environmental importance, in addition to many services that we still do not know about. However, we are sometimes unable to save them, as happened in some types of rhinos, tigers, and others. Despite the difficulty of rescue in the case of wild plants, there is an opportunity to facilitate the process of returning to the original situation with community support. (Ecosystem restoration - but need long term financing). Is there any traditional practical method you have used to restore such species in your region?
Extinction of species is very natural. Survival of relict species is very tough as the nature is changing drastically everyday. So, the challenge to preserve them in situ is very important and tough at the same time. To recreate the habitat for them or to preserve the habitat is not an easy job. This is why there are so many opportunities to do research.
Dear Rachan Karmakar
I strongly agree with you that protecting some of the inevitably endangered species in the field is very difficult and needs research, advanced technologies and new ideas to try to find solutions that will help. But if we assume that we could not save it in the wild, but we collected its seeds and parts from it, to be the core for a future conservation program if we lost it in the wild. Do you see that some already extinct plants have seeds in the soil that have not grown yet !! Can the seed be developed to suit the new conditions after extinction? I think freely with you
Natural products are capable to adjust with adverse conditions. Yes, the capability of them varies with their species. When we can save the seeds with our technology, we can recreate the condition of their growth. In my point of view, extinction, of course the natural one, is very normal. That is the way of generation of aa new species. But extinction that is done by human greed is the problem creator.
Dear Rachan Karmakar
Do you think that natural extinction is a natural selection to remove the weakness?
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