Cataloguing and prioritizing crop wild relatives as a baseline for their conservation and utilization

Kell, Shelagh Patricia ORCID: 0000-0002-6339-4241 (2019). Cataloguing and prioritizing crop wild relatives as a baseline for their conservation and utilization. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The value of wild plant species related to crops (crop wild relatives, or CWR) as sources of traits for pest and disease resistance, tolerance of environmental conditions, yield enhancement, improved nutrition, and a range of other agronomic characteristics, has been recognized since the early 20th century. However, these species are inadequately conserved, which in turn is limiting their utilization potential. In this thesis, based on the published definition of a CWR, a systematic, practical and replicable method for creating a comprehensive CWR checklist and an approach to identifying priority taxa for conservation action are proposed. The process of evaluating the threat status of CWR to inform conservation planning is also elaborated. These methodologies are presented and discussed in the broader context of CWR conservation planning at national and regional scales, and illustrated with China and Europe as case studies. While the CWR checklist methodology results in a large number of included taxa, it provides a comprehensive foundation for conservation planning. The identification of priority taxa as those related to crops of high socio-economic importance, and of those, taxa of greatest utilization potential and/or known to be under threat of genetic erosion, provides a pragmatic means of directing limited conservation resources.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):