Genetic diversity in agroecosystems

1
Genetic diversity in agro-ecosystems

• Man and nature co-evolution
• Traditional management
• Genetic/cultural diversity interdependency

2
Genetic diversity in agro-ecosystems

• Land abandonment/ intensification
• GMOs/ alien species

3
Managed forests

• Modifications of gene pools
• Range shifts from climatic changes
• Alteration of genetic processes
• Genetically improved varieties

4
Genetic diversity in agro-ecosystems

• In situ conservation
• Indicators
• Monitor changes
• GMO hybridisation and introgression

5
Local conservation efforts

• Preserve landraces locally
• Local involvement (volunteers)
• On-farm conservation efforts
• Local strategies to promote self-management of
  landraces in value and marketing

6
Intellectual Property Rights

• Pitfalls
• Questions
• Broader development strategies
• Balance commercial farmer interests and local
  food security humanitarian licences/ patent
  exemption.

7
Genetic/cultural diversity

• Genetic diversity protection
• Strengthen cultural identity
• Labels, local markets, incentives
• Long-term approach, state indicators,
  agro-biodiversity status and associated knowledge.

8
Biodiversity vs. Socio-Economy debate

• Sociological and economic studies
• Biodiversity studies
• Already too late?
• Communicating importance of biodiversity to the
  public

9
Conclusions

• Basic research in population and community
  ecology and evolution
• Extension of the basic research on genetic
  variability
• Cost effective molecular tools
• Broad scientific training and scientific
  excellence
• Co evolutionary studies looking into species
  interaction
• Measuring the social and economic impacts of
  biodiversity loss and maintenance
• Long term effects of managing natural resources
  on natural communities on economy, social
  interaction and human population
• Involvement and empowerment of local communities
  for conservation
• Research on and monitoring of effects of policies
  (e.g. CAP etc.)