Glossary

Distinct, uniquely identified samples of seeds, plants, or other germplasm materials, collected at a given time and that are maintained as an integral part of a germplasm collection (genebank) (Maxted et al., 2015a).

All components of biological diversity of relevance to food and agriculture, and all components of biological biodiversity that constitute agro-ecosystems: the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms, at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels, which are necessary to sustain key functions of the agricultural ecosystem, its structure and processes (CBD, COP decision V/5, appendix)

Each of all alternative forms of a gene.

The plans that should be prepared for the species that require some form of management intervention to ensure the continued maintenance of viable population(s) (Hunter and Heywood, 2011).

Plant taxa closely related to crops (or any socio-economically valuable species), which may be crop progenitors and to which the CWR may contribute beneficial traits, such as pest or disease resistance, yield improvement or stability. They are generally defined in terms of any wild taxon belonging to the same genus (or closely related genera) as the crop. A more detailed definition based on the ability of the taxa to cross with the crop or their taxonomic placement describes CWR as those taxa that belong to Gene Pools 1 or 2, or Taxon Groups 1 to 4 of the crop (Maxted et al., 2006).

Scientific discipline that studies the environment in relation to the geographical distribution of living organisms.

The conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats (CBD, 1992). It involves the location, sampling, transfer and storage of samples of the target taxa away from their native habitat (Maxted et al., 1997a).

A systematic method to identify gaps at in situ and ex situ conservation actions of specific taxa or particular traits. It involves the comparison of actual performance with potential or desired performance.

A facility where plant diversity is stored in the form of seeds, pollen, in vitro culture or DNA or, in the case of a field gene bank, as plants growing in the field (Maxted et al., 2015a).

The loss over time of genetic diversity caused by either natural or man-made processes (Maxted et al., 2015a).

The collection of all genes in an interbreeding population. Three gene pool classes are considered: Gene Pool GP1A‒cultivated forms of the crop, GP1B-wild or weedy forms of the crop, GP2‒ secondary wild relatives (less closely related species from which gene transfer to the crop is possible but difficult using conventional breeding techniques), GP3‒tertiary wild relatives (species from which gene transfer to the crop is impossible, or if possible, requires sophisticated techniques, such as embryo rescue, somatic fusion or genetic engineering) (Harlan and Wet, 1971).

An area designated for the management and monitoring of the genetic diversity of one or several plant species in its natural habitat. The occurrences selected for genetic reserves altogether represent the intra-specific diversity of the species and together form the network of genetic reserves (see example of the Wild Celery Network in Germany).

Any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of heredity, of actual or potential value (CBD, 1992).

Set of all genetic material of an individual living organism.

Particular allelic composition for a given gene or a set of genes of an individual.

Sexual or vegetative propagating materials of plants (Maxted et al., 2015a).

Breed from closely related relatives or selfing.

The conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surroundings where they have developed their distinctive properties (CBD, 1992). It involves the location, designation, management and monitoring of populations to conserve a particular species within its natural habitat or where it has developed its distinctive characteristic (Maxted et al., 1997a).

MAWP is an actively conserved in situ CWR population that has been prioritized for being of most value and designated to be part of a conservation network at the national or regional level. It needs to meet a number of criteria in order to be included in the CWR conservation strategy (Maxted et al., 2015a).

Reduction of fitness as a result of crosses between two genetically distant groups or populations (Frankham et al., 2011).

Set of observable characters of an organism determined by the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Any genetic material of plant origin of actual or potential value for food and agriculture (FAO, 2009). PGRFA consists of the diversity of genetic material contained in traditional varieties and modern cultivars grown by farmers as well as crop wild relatives and other wild plant species that can be used as food, and as feed for domesticated animals, fibre, clothing, shelter, wood, timber, energy, etc. (Maxted et al., 2015a).

All individuals of the same taxonomic group present in the same geographical area and capable of interbreeding (Maxted et al., 2015a). From a genetic resources perspective and to delimitate a population to establish a genetic reserve, this should include all individuals that actually interbreed and constitute a distinct evolutionary unit sensu Kleinschmit et al. (2004).

A clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values (Dudley, 2008).

Is a concept to apply to crop wild relatives when information about the gene pool they belong to is not available. It is based on the taxonomic relatedness between the CWR and the crop. Six different groups are identified: TG1a (crop), TG1b (same species as crop), TG2 (same series or section as crop), TG3 (same subgenus as crop), TG4 (same genus), and TG5 (same tribe but different genus to crop) (Maxted et al., 2015a).