Is it important to protect and conserve our genetic resources and important to preserve the genetic diversity of an abundance of plant species?
Hello Naresh, of course I am sure you know that whole books have been written on the subject of your question. What I have learned has to do with utility, conservation priority, and available funding. Genetic resrouces gain interest and funding when an end product can be seen down the road. So, taking agriculture for example, I believe it far better to recognize needs or priorities that may be addresseed through PGRFA, or in combination with gene/trait introgression. To not have this estimation of results may mean that too much is collected, leading to too much that has to be regenerated, meaning that more money is needed. Best regards, Joel Cohhen
Genetic conservation is an integral part of a much broader activity concerned with protecting the many plants, animals, microorganisms, and communities of organisms that help to mold and stabilize the environment and maintain the quality of air, water, and soil. They are a major resource that humans depend on to increase farming resilience and profit. Hence, the demand for genetic resources will increase as the world population increases. There is a need to conserve and maintain the genetic diversity of these valuable resources for sustainable food security. Genetic diversity on the population level is a crucial focus for conservation genetics as it influences both the health and long-term survival of populations: decreased genetic diversity has been associated with reduced fitness, such as high juvenile mortality, diminished population growth, and reduced immunity. The most natural means for conserving genetic resources is to cultivate the plants in their original environment (in situ conservation). Landraces and old commercial varieties can be conserved in their original environment on farm (in situ on-farm), and horticultural crops in private gardens (in situ on-garden). Hence, due to genetic diversity, the varieties that are susceptible, die and the ones who can adapt to changes will survive. Genetic diversity is important for a healthy population by maintaining different varieties of genes that might be resistant to pests, diseases or other conditions. Environmental changes that are natural or due to human intervention, lead to the natural selection and survival of the fittest. Hence, due to genetic diversity, the varieties that are susceptible, die and the ones who can adapt to changes will survive.Biodiversity plays a crucial role in human nutrition through its influence on world food production, as it ensures the sustainable productivity of soils and provides the genetic resources for all crops, livestock, and marine species harvested for food. One approach to the preservation of crop genetic diversity is the establishment of in situ reserves. These are preserved habitats harboring wild populations of crop species or related species. They are also regions where cultivation of indigenous landraces is continued by custodian farmers in exchange for subsides. Genetic diversity increases the chances that some individuals will survive during changing environmental conditions or during an outbreak of disease. The diverse gene pool of plant species, such as wild species, landraces, breeding stock, etc., could hold the tools for survival and adaptation under adverse climatic conditions. The conservation and sustainable utilization of these valuable resources is crucial to ensure food security for future generations.
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