388 CHAPTER 15 Biodiversity and Conservation
University of Wisconsin–Madison ArboretumVirginia Kline/University of Wisconsin—Madison Arboretuma. The University of Wisconsin–Madison
Arboretum pioneered restoration ecology. The
restoration of the prairie was at an early stage in
November 1935.b. The prairie as it looks today. This picture was taken at approximately the
same location as the 1935 photograph.Reintroducing Endangered Species to Nature
The ultimate goal of the captive-breeding programs pra-
cticed by zoos, aquaria, and other conservation organiza-
tions is to produce offspring in captivity and then release
them into nature to restore wild populations. However,
only 1 of every 10 reintroductions using animals raised in
captivity is successful.
Before attempting a reintroduction, conservation biol-
ogists conduct a feasibility study. This includes determining
what factors originally caused the species to become extinct
in nature, whether these factors still exist, and whether any
suitable habitat still remains. Once released, animals are
monitored, and the cause of any death is determined so
that scientists can search for ways to prevent unnecessary
deaths in future reintroductions. Captive-breeding pro-
grams are sometimes unsuccessful because it is impossible
to teach critical survival skills to animals raised in captivity.Seed Banks More than 100 seed collections, called
seed banks, or gene banks, exist around the world
and collectively hold several million samples at low
temperatures (Figure 15.12c). The Svalbard Global
Seed Vault in Norway, opened in 2008, is designed to
store more than 3 million distinct seed samples. Seed
banks offer the advantage of storing a large amount of
plant genetic material in a small space. Seeds stored in
seed banks are safe from habitat destruction, climateSince 1934 the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Arboretum has carried out one of the world’s most
famous examples of restoration ecology (Figure 15.11).
Several distinct natural communities were carefully devel-
oped on damaged agricultural land, including a tallgrass
prairie, a dry prairie, and several types of pine and maple
forests. Today hundreds of species of native plants, birds,
mammals, and insects live in the restoration site.
Conserving Species
Zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, and other organizations
practicing ex situ conservation often play critical roles in
saving species on the brink of extinction. Eggs or seeds
may be collected from nature, or the few remaining wild
animals may be captured and bred in research environ-
ments (Figure 15.12a). But attempting to save a species
on the brink of extinction is expensive, and only a small
proportion of endangered species can be saved.
Conservation organizations are an essential part of the
effort to maintain biological diversity through species and
habitat conservation. These groups help educate policy
makers and the public about the importance of biological
diversity. In certain instances, they galvanize public support
for important biodiversity preservation efforts. They pro-
vide financial support for conservation projects, from basic
research to the purchase of land that is a critical habitat for a
particular species or group of species (Figure 15.12b).
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