Case studies point to integrated conservation of genetic resources
An important activity in the GenRes Bridge project has come to a close with the publication of a report on Conservation of GenRes at Landscape Level through Demonstration Cases. Five locations have been studied in detail to help formulate a rationale for the joint conservation of genetic resources in the plant, livestock and forest domains. If genetic resources in all three domains can be conserved in a landscape under a single management plan, costs are likely to be lower and benefits, for example in terms of tourism, higher than if each were conserved alone.
“Conservation of genetic resources across domains is in its infancy,” said Tor Myking. “Integrated conservation will help build a more robust agricultural production landscape compared to conservation focused upon just one domain.”
The sites chosen for the case studies cover three broad areas. Aurland, in Norway, is a northern outpost with a surprising amount of genetic diversity. Ehden Natural Reserve in Lebanon is important because it lies within the Fertile Crescent, centre of origin and domestication for many crops and livestock. And the Alps, which contain considerable genetic diversity as a glacial refuge, are covered by three sites on an east-west axis: Triglav National Park in Slovenia, Paneveggio Pale San Martino Natural Park in the Dolomites in Italy and Mont Ventoux in France.
All five cases share mixed production systems that make use of plants, animals and forests in a variable topography, with highly productive lowland areas and more marginal mountain pastures. All five are also fragile, with a recent history that includes overexploitation of natural resources. Diminishing reliance on traditional farming methods, often a consequence of depopulation and out-migration, threatens crop and livestock diversity.
For each site, the report offers a brief description of its physical geography and why it merits detailed study. The agricultural history of the area, how it is currently managed and the potential for integrated conservation of genetic resources all come under scrutiny. While all the sites are, from an agricultural perspective, not highly productive, they all harbour locally adapted livestock breeds, crop varieties and tree seed stands that should be conserved, and therefore used, because they are important for future adaptation. Without doubt, such landscapes are also vital for maintaining populations of a vast number of birds, insects, plants and fungi.
The case studies indicate a way forward for unified conservation of plant, animal and forest genetic resources. The report recommends that integrated conservation management should be firmly placed in high-level strategies and directives, such as the EU Green Deal. These top-level commitments are essential to provide the necessary political momentum. At the same time, national authorities should work with knowledgeable local stakeholders to take advantage of their ideas to strengthen bottom-up incentives. Management plans will need to balance production with conservation, although there is considerable scope for using the conservation of genetic diversity to add value to the branding and marketing of niche products.
Ideally, to avoid duplication of effort, integrated conservation of genetic resources could take place in existing designated locations, such as Natura 2000 sites and High Value Farmlands. These heterogenous landscapes would be included in a European network and specifically identified as Genetically Diverse Landscapes.
The report acknowledges that its recommendations based on the case studies are based on an expert appraisal and that supporting evidence still needs to be gathered. In that regard, it identifies research questions that it says need to be addressed.
“Nevertheless,” said Jade Phillips, “we need to protect genetic resources so they are available to use in times of need, times which may be approaching sooner than anticipated. Conservation of genetically diverse landscapes draws attention to the importance of the genetic resources that underpin our global food security and ecosystem services.”
To read more about the Hotspots of genetic resources for animals, plants, and forests, to download the summary report and to watch a video developed by the project, please click here
