Botanical gardens provide

Options

A. beautiful area for recreation
B. reservoir for tropical plants
C. ex situ conservation of germplasm
D. natural habitat for wildlife

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Botanical Gardens:**
- Botanical gardens are large areas where various species of plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes. They serve as a resource for studying plant diversity and conservation.

2. **Purpose of Botanical Gardens:**
- The primary purpose of botanical gardens is to conserve plant species, especially those that are rare or endangered. This conservation is often conducted outside the plants' natural habitats, which is referred to as ex-situ conservation.

3. **Definition of Ex-situ Conservation:**
- Ex-situ conservation refers to the preservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats. This can include the cultivation of rare plants in botanical gardens to ensure their survival and study.

4. **Identifying the Correct Answer:**
- Among the options provided:
- A. Beautiful area for recreation: This is incorrect as the main focus is scientific and educational.
- B. Reservoir for tropical plants: This is also incorrect because botanical gardens contain a variety of plants, not just tropical ones.
- C. Ex-situ conservation of germplasm: This is the correct answer, as it aligns with the primary function of botanical gardens.
- D. Natural habitat for wildlife: This is incorrect because botanical gardens do not serve as natural habitats; that role is typically filled by wildlife sanctuaries.

5. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question "Botanical gardens provide" is **ex-situ conservation of germplasm**.

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