The conservation and sustainable use – in-situ and ex-situ – of the genetic resources of species, varieties, domestic animal breeds and microbial life-forms with actual or potential value as agricultural commodities and the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture requires a wide range of in-situ and ex-situ actions.
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, in-situ conservation (on site conservation) means the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surroundings where they have developed their distinctive properties; ex-situ conservation means the conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats.
The techniques and facilities used for ex-situ conservation, are considered to be essential measures to support, complement and enhance in-situ conservation.