Ethnobotany and Ex situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources in México

Abstract

In this chapter, the importance of ex situ conservation is discussed to safeguard plant genetic resources on relationship to its ethnobotanical relevance. It also highlights the importance of preserving the germplasm of species that are closely associated to human being. The diverse forms and intensities of human–plant relationship lead to the accumulation of traditional knowledge and the modification of the characteristics of plant populations as a result of human manipulation. When the germplasm of plant populations that are important to human being is protected, the information associated to this relationship is also protected, so that the conservation of biological diversity of useful plant species favors the protection of cultural diversity associated to its plant use. The urgency to conserve and protect the Mexican germplasm is associated to the fast and dramatic change of habitats that the country is facing. In megadiverse countries with serious institutions, such as the Seed Bank FESI-UNAM, has undertaken efforts to conserve seeds from species of wild plants and particularly useful wild species, so that it is possible to have the raw material to carry out taxonomical, ethnobotanical, genetics, ecological and phytochemical studies and sustainable projects.