Institut für Resistenzforschung und Stresstoleranz
The progressive climate change and the associated loss of species make it necessary to conserve the intraspecific genetic diversity of crop wild relatives (CWR). This necessity is explicitly stated in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and the Global Plan of Action for the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), among other relevant international instruments. In order to fulfil their obligations, member countries such as Germany must develop conservation strategies for CWR that combine the advantages of in-situ conservation with the benefits of ex-situ conservation. The Coordination Unit “Network of CWR Hotspots” will coordinate the specific network of genetic reserves with a high number of CWR occurring on them. The network is part of the overarching “Network of Genetic Reserves Germany”. The Coordination Unit is responsible for the comprehensive documentation of the genetic reserves within the specific network, acting as the primary interface between the local stakeholders engaged in the conservation of genetic resources on-site and the superordinate network. Additionally, the Coordination Unit oversees the activities of the stakeholders, facilitates the exchange of pertinent information, and ensures the implementation of necessary measures for the conservation of CWR. The Coordination Unit also ensures the involvement of suitable gene banks. The aim is to continuously develop and expand the network. The periodic monitoring of the CWR in its genetic reserves shall be done by providing technical support, involving local stakeholders and analysing the results in cooperation with the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food.
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
