Botanical gardens provide

Options

A. Natural habitat to wildlife
B. Beautiful area for recreation
C. ex situ conservation of germplasm
D. Repository of tropical plants

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Botanical Gardens**: Botanical gardens are specialized areas that focus on the cultivation, conservation, and display of a wide variety of plants. They serve as a resource for research, education, and conservation efforts.

2. **Definition of Off-Situ Conservation**: Off-situ conservation refers to the preservation of plant species outside their natural habitats. This is crucial for species that are endangered or at risk of extinction due to habitat loss or other environmental pressures.

3. **Purpose of Botanical Gardens**: The primary purpose of botanical gardens is to conserve exotic, endemic, and rare plant species. They provide a controlled environment where these plants can be studied and preserved.

4. **Germplasm Preservation**: Botanical gardens also play a significant role in the preservation of germplasm, which is the genetic material of plants. This is important for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring that plant species can be propagated in the future.

5. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Option A**: "Natural habitat for wildlife" - This is incorrect because botanical gardens are not natural habitats; they are managed environments.
- **Option B**: "Beautiful area for recreation" - This is also incorrect as the main focus of botanical gardens is conservation, not recreation.
- **Option C**: "Ex-situ conservation of germplasm" - This is correct as it aligns with the primary function of botanical gardens in conserving plant species outside their natural habitats.
- **Option D**: "Repository of tropical plants" - This may be partially true, but it is too narrow as botanical gardens conserve a wide variety of plant species, not just tropical ones.

6. **Conclusion**: The correct answer is that botanical gardens provide ex-situ conservation of germplasm.