Demonstration cases workshop
30-31 Oct 2019, Hotel Gustavelund in Tuusula (Helsinki) Finland
Crop, forest and animal genetic resources are all part of different landscapes. Managing these landscapes to preserve the genetic resources is sometimes difficult as different interests may clash.
How to manage landscapes to conserve all genetic resources equitably at the same time?
What are the main hotspots of (genetic) biodiversity in Europe and in the Mediterranean where we should focus our attention? Since the dawn of the humanity, people have been interacting with genetic resources which sustained their lives. But what is the role of humans in shaping genetic diversity?
During the workshop, we addressed these questions and discussed a few 'demonstration cases' based on historical studies of species refugia and migration routes. 20 participants from nine countries representing all domains, including four invited stakeholders, attended the workshop. The workshop successfully achieved its aims of reviewing the work done so far, defining the format of the outputs and sketching the concept of integrated GenRes conservation.
The main recommendations were to:
- develop three demonstration cases for GenRes conservation at landscape level (Lebanon, the Alps, Norway)
- emphasise the human factor in shaping GenRes
- make use of the demonstration cases for public awareness purposes
- pass on relevant messages on use and conservation of GenRes at the landscape level to the European Genetic Resources Strategy.
This event was held back to back with the 'Sharing Perspectives' workshop
