1.1 Problems
3
extinction, however, entered into the scientific discussion through the worldwide
systematic survey, collection and conservation activities of plant genetic resources
undertaken by N. I. Vavilov since the 1930s. The modem conservation movement
started with endangered animal species (whales, elephants, rhinos etc.). However,
an awareness of the importance of all species emerged and it was recognized that
biodiversity not only benefits the sustainability of the ecosystems itself but also
creates opportunities for people in a wide range of sectors (i.e., agriculture,
tourism, research, health, disaster prevention; McNeely, Jeffrey, 1996).
Since sensitivity to the irreversible loss of genetic resources for food and
agriculture has emerged, immense energy, human capacity, and financial
resources have been spent for the collection and conservation of plant genetic
resources and the establishment of an institutional framework on an international,
national, and local level. There are 6.2 million accessions of 80 different crops
stored in 1,320 genebanks and related facilities in 131 countries (FAO, I 996a).
At present, the PGRFA conservation efforts seem to lack an overall system:
even though the loss of genetic diversity in agriculturally relevant plants is evident
and conservation activities are taking place, the knowledge concerning the rate of
extinction is not indisputable and the marginal benefit of the conserved varieties is
open to wide speculations. Some estimate the marginal benefit of each crop
variety to be over 2,000 US $ a year (Evenson, 1996a), while others are concerned
about conserving redundant genetic resources (Simpson and Sedjo, 1996).
Consequently, the investments in the conservation of PGRFA are undertaken
without clear optimality criteria. This, again, relates to the uncertainty of expected
benefits.
A conservation strategy utilizing ex situ conservation (e.g., genebanks) as well
as in situ conservation possibilities (genetic resources conservation or
management in farmers' fields) is emerging only recently. The combination of ex
situ and in situ conservation methods seems indispensable, not only because a loss
of plant genetic resources is becoming apparent in farmers' fields, but also
because ex situ conservation methods, e.g., genebanks, are not capable of
preserving all plant genetic resources in their original condition without the loss of
parts or entire collections. Hence, only a well-balanced combination of ex situ and
in situ conservation seems to meet all the relevant objectives.
Furthermore, because of the rapidly increasing awareness of the importance of
PGRFA and their silent reduction, conservation activities were intensified, but
seldom managed accurately and efficiently. Consequently, the shelves of the
existing ex situ facilities are overloaded but the information on the accessions is
often poorly documented (FAO, 1996at Therefore main information, e.g., how
many and what kind of varieties are conserved ex situ, is lacking. Additionally,
PGRFA conservation has recently not only been seen as freezing accessions for
the generations to come, but mainly as management of information combined with
service functions for all those demanding PGRFA. Without a global, national and
local survey and inventory of existing crop species and varieties, there is no
4
The expression for accessions without or with very little information is establishing itself as
'UFOs': unknown frozen objects.
3
extinction, however, entered into the scientific discussion through the worldwide
systematic survey, collection and conservation activities of plant genetic resources
undertaken by N. I. Vavilov since the 1930s. The modem conservation movement
started with endangered animal species (whales, elephants, rhinos etc.). However,
an awareness of the importance of all species emerged and it was recognized that
biodiversity not only benefits the sustainability of the ecosystems itself but also
creates opportunities for people in a wide range of sectors (i.e., agriculture,
tourism, research, health, disaster prevention; McNeely, Jeffrey, 1996).
Since sensitivity to the irreversible loss of genetic resources for food and
agriculture has emerged, immense energy, human capacity, and financial
resources have been spent for the collection and conservation of plant genetic
resources and the establishment of an institutional framework on an international,
national, and local level. There are 6.2 million accessions of 80 different crops
stored in 1,320 genebanks and related facilities in 131 countries (FAO, I 996a).
At present, the PGRFA conservation efforts seem to lack an overall system:
even though the loss of genetic diversity in agriculturally relevant plants is evident
and conservation activities are taking place, the knowledge concerning the rate of
extinction is not indisputable and the marginal benefit of the conserved varieties is
open to wide speculations. Some estimate the marginal benefit of each crop
variety to be over 2,000 US $ a year (Evenson, 1996a), while others are concerned
about conserving redundant genetic resources (Simpson and Sedjo, 1996).
Consequently, the investments in the conservation of PGRFA are undertaken
without clear optimality criteria. This, again, relates to the uncertainty of expected
benefits.
A conservation strategy utilizing ex situ conservation (e.g., genebanks) as well
as in situ conservation possibilities (genetic resources conservation or
management in farmers' fields) is emerging only recently. The combination of ex
situ and in situ conservation methods seems indispensable, not only because a loss
of plant genetic resources is becoming apparent in farmers' fields, but also
because ex situ conservation methods, e.g., genebanks, are not capable of
preserving all plant genetic resources in their original condition without the loss of
parts or entire collections. Hence, only a well-balanced combination of ex situ and
in situ conservation seems to meet all the relevant objectives.
Furthermore, because of the rapidly increasing awareness of the importance of
PGRFA and their silent reduction, conservation activities were intensified, but
seldom managed accurately and efficiently. Consequently, the shelves of the
existing ex situ facilities are overloaded but the information on the accessions is
often poorly documented (FAO, 1996at Therefore main information, e.g., how
many and what kind of varieties are conserved ex situ, is lacking. Additionally,
PGRFA conservation has recently not only been seen as freezing accessions for
the generations to come, but mainly as management of information combined with
service functions for all those demanding PGRFA. Without a global, national and
local survey and inventory of existing crop species and varieties, there is no
4
The expression for accessions without or with very little information is establishing itself as
'UFOs': unknown frozen objects.