A preliminary global red list assessment of selected crop wild relatives: conservation status, analysis and implications

Rhodes, Laura (2016). A preliminary global red list assessment of selected crop wild relatives: conservation status, analysis and implications. University of Birmingham. M.Sc.

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Abstract

Crop wild relatives (CWR) are valuable socio-economic resources that provide a genetic reservoir of potential adaptability for our food crops. Despite their importance, these vital resources are in dire need of sustainable and strategic conservation. The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria are the world’s most widely accepted methodology for assessing species’ risk of extinction, and was applied to a selection of priority CWR extracted from the Harlan and de Wet CWR Inventory (Vincent et al., 2013). Preliminary results show that, seventeen CWR species (6.3%) were found to be threatened with extinction, with 0.7% (two species) being Critically Endangered (CR), 3.4% (nine species) being Endangered (EN), and 2.2% (six species) being Vulnerable (VU). In addition to this, 60.7% of CWR species studied were found to be LC, and a further 29.6% were deemed DD. Threatened species were considered highest priority for conservation efforts, while monitoring and management of those species for which population is in decline is also important regardless of threat category. While the current project presents valuable insight, expansion of this to a larger, more representative sample of priority CWR species is advised. Further analysis highlighted the lack of data available for CWR in general and more specifically concerning population information such as size, status and trends; further research to increase the knowledge base for CWR is vital in securing the complementary and strategic conservation of these resources and future food security.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Sc.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Sc.

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