Which one of the following is not used for ex situ plant conservation

Options

A. Shifting cultivation
B. Botanical Gardens
C. Field gene banks
D. Seed banks

Answer

To solve the question regarding which option is not used for ex situ plant conservation, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Ex Situ Conservation**:
- Ex situ conservation refers to the preservation of plant species outside their natural habitats. This can include methods like botanical gardens, seed banks, and field gene banks.

2. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Botanical Gardens**: These are designed to cultivate and conserve a variety of plant species outside their natural habitats. This is a method of ex situ conservation.
- **Field Gene Banks**: These are facilities where genetic material (like seeds or plant tissues) is stored and maintained outside their natural environment. This also qualifies as ex situ conservation.
- **Seed Banks**: These are repositories where seeds are stored for long-term preservation. This method is also part of ex situ conservation.
- **Shifting Cultivation**: This is an agricultural practice where land is cleared and cultivated for a few years, then abandoned for a period to allow the natural vegetation to regenerate. This practice is not aimed at conserving plants outside their natural habitat.

3. **Identifying the Correct Answer**:
- Since botanical gardens, field gene banks, and seed banks are all methods of ex situ conservation, the only option that does not fit this category is **shifting cultivation**.

### Final Answer:
The option that is not used for ex situ plant conservation is **shifting cultivation**.

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