A methodological approach to identify agro-biodiversity hotspots for priority in situ conservation of plant genetic resources

PLoS One. 2018 Jun 1;13(6):e0197709. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197709. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Agro-biodiversity is seriously threatened worldwide and strategies to preserve it are dramatically required. We propose here a methodological approach aimed to identify areas with a high level of agro-biodiversity in which to set or enhance in situ conservation of plant genetic resources. These areas are identified using three criteria: Presence of Landrace diversity, Presence of wild species and Agro-ecosystem ecological diversity. A Restrictive and an Additive prioritization strategy has been applied on the entire Italian territory and has resulted in establishing nationwide 53 and 197 agro-biodiversity hotspots respectively. At present the strategies can easily be applied at a European level and can be helpful to develop conservation strategies everywhere.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation of Natural Resources / trends*
  • Crops, Agricultural / genetics*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Plants / genetics*

Grants and funding

The research leading to these results received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme, under the Grant Agreement no. 266394 “PGR Secure” (http://www.pgrsecure.org/), and from the European Community’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, under the Grant Agreement no.774271 "Farmer’s Pride" (http://www.farmerspride.eu/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.