Ecogeography and genetic conservation

Abstract

The current threat to plant genetic diversity from global genetic erosion, coupled with the use by contemporary biotechnological techniques for the utilisation of genetic material from diverse species, has lead to increased professional and public demand for more efficient and effective species conservation. This demand was most eloquently expressed at the `Earth Summit' held in Brazil in 1992 and is enshrined in the articles of the Biodiversity Convention. One of the important prerequisites of any efficient genetic conservation programme, whether ex situ or in situ is the identification of centres of plant genetic diversity for the target taxon being conserved, A simple methodology for identification of these centres has recently been established; this involves the collation and analysis of ecogeographic data. These studies or surveys involve the collection of large and complex ecological, geographic and taxonomic data sets from literature sources and the passport data for herbarium specimens and germplasm accessions. These data are synthesised to produce three basic products: the database which contains the raw data for each taxon, the conspectus which summarises the data for each taxon and the report which discusses the contents of the database and conspectus, as well as proposing future collection and conservation strategies. Ecogeographic studies are an essential component of any conservation programme, not only because they aid the location of genetic diversity, but also because they provide critical assistance in the formulation of appropriate and effective conservation programmes for target plant species.