Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201

The Theory of Island Biogeography

Awareness of the need for biodiversity conservation is now universally accepted, but most often recent conservation activities have focused on wild species. Crop species and the diversity between and within them has significant socioeconomic as well as heritage value. The bulk of genetic diversity in domesticated species is located in traditional varieties maintained by traditional farming systems. These traditional varieties, commonly referred to as landraces, are severely threatened by genetic extinction primarily due to their replacement by modern genetically uniform varieties. The conservation of landrace diversity has been hindered in part by the lack of an accepted definition to define the entity universally recognized as landraces. Without a definition it would be impossible to prepare an inventory and without an inventory changes in landrace constituency could not be recognized over time. Therefore, based on a literature review, workshop discussion and interviews with key informants, common characteristics of landraces were identified, such as: historical origin, high genetic diversity, local genetic adaptation, recognizable identity, lack of formal genetic improvement, and whether associated with traditional farming systems. However, although these characteristics are commonly present they are not always all present for any individual landrace; several crop-specific exceptions were noted relating to crop propagation method (sexual or asexual), breeding system (self-fertilized or cross-fertilized species), length of formal crop improvement, seed management (selection or random propagation) and use. This paper discusses the characteristics that generally constitute a landrace, reviews the exceptions to these characteristics and provides a working definition of a landrace. The working definition proposed is as follows: ‘a landrace is a dynamic population(s) of a cultivated plant that has historical origin, distinct identity and lacks formal crop improvement, as well as often being genetically diverse, locally adapted and associated with traditional farming systems’.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1479262105000420

Defining and identifying crop landraces

This publication summarises results for a selection of Europe's native species of vascular plants. In total 1,826 vascular plant species have been assessed from the following groups: species listed on European or international policy instruments, selected priority crop wild relatives, and aquatic plant species. Of those at least 467 species are threatened with extinction. The main threats for the three groups are intensified livestock framing, recreational activities, tourism and urban development, wild plant collection, invasive alien species, natural system modifications and pollution.

European Red List of vascular plants

Agroecology is an approach that seeks to integrate ecological science with other academic disciplines and knowledge systems to guide research and action towards the sustainable transformation of our current agrifood system. The Certificate of Graduate Study in Agroecology (CGSA) is a 15-credit program that can be completed within one year. The curriculum encourages students to integrate ecological, social, and economic perspectives in developing practical solutions to contemporary problems within our agrifood system. The fully prescribed coursework consists of an introductory residential/ online hybrid course, three foundational online classes, and a final synthesis seminar course. Students will join yearly cohorts to build community and expand the network among program participants. The certificate is designed so that you can live in your own food shed while learning lessons that you can apply anywhere.

農環境学(Agroecology)について

Crop wild relatives are an important socio-economic resource that is currently being eroded or even extinguished through careless human activities. If the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the CBD 2010 Biodiversity Target of achieving a significant reduction in the current rate of loss is to be achieved, we must first define what crop wild relatives are and how their conservation might be prioritised. A definition of a crop wild relative is proposed and illustrated in the light of previous Gene Pool concept theory. Where crossing and genetic diversity information is unavailable, the Taxon Group concept is introduced to assist recognition of the degree of crop wild relative relatedness by using the existing taxonomic hierarchy.

Towards a definition of a crop wild relative

Plant diversity sustains all animal life, and the genetic diversity within plants underpins global food security. This text provides a practical and theoretical introduction to the strategies and actions to adopt for conserving plant genetic variation, as well as explaining how humans can exploit this diversity for sustainable development. Notably readable, it initially offers current knowledge on the characterization and evaluation of plant genetic resources. The authors then discuss strategies from in situ and ex situ conservation to crop breeding, exploring how these can be used to improve food security in the face of increasing agrobiodiversity loss, human population growth and climate change. Each chapter draws on examples from the literature or the authors' research and includes further reading references. Containing other useful features such as a glossary, it is invaluable for professionals and undergraduate and graduate students in plant sciences, ecology, conservation, genetics and natural resource management.

Plant Genetic Conservation

Contents 1. Introduction to Plant Breeding Plant Breeding and Society Genetics, Omics and Plant Breeding Populations Genetic Diversity Distances Measures Grouping Germplasm Quantitative Variation Mapping Traits Genotype-by-Environment Interaction Phenotyping Phenomics References 2. Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Crop Evolution and Plant Species Feeding the World Genebanks Gene Pools Describing Variation and Identifying Redundancy Germplasm Evaluation Descriptors Documentation and Bioinformatics Geo-documentation to Identify Germplasm Genebank Sampling and Core Subsets Genomics of Plant Genetic Resources Putting Genes into Usable Forms References 3. Inbred Development DNA markers for Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) and Aided Breeding Inbreeding and Line Development Doubled Haploids Adaptability: Learning for Model Plant Systems Breeding for Stress-prone Environments and Resource-use Efficiency Host-plant Resistance Breeding Participatory and Client-driven Plant Breeding References 4. Population Improvement Recurrent Selection and Breeding Populations Genome-wide Association and Quantitative Trait Variation Plant Genomics and Marker-assisted Selection Genomic Selection and Prediction of Breeding Values References 5. Heterosis and Inter-Specific Hybridization Heterotic Groups Hybrid Vigor Heterosis in Plant Breeding Understanding Hybrid Vigor in Model Plants and Crops Omics Research on Heterosis Hybrids in Selfing Species Polyploid Heterosis Interspecific hybridization References 6. Mutations and Epigenetics Induced Mutations and Plant Breeding Induced Mutations and Genomics-led Plant Breeding Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) Epigenetics References 7. Genetic Engineering and Transgenic Breeding Plant Genetic Engineering "Issues" Transgenic Crops "Risks" Transgene Flow Pest Resistance and Impacts on Non-target Organisms Detecting Genetically Modified Organisms and Other Safety Assessments Transgenic Agriculture and Co-existence Plant Genetic Engineering Impacts Transgenic Agriculture Outlook New Plant Breeding Techniques References 8. DNA Sequencing, other Omics and Synthetic Biology DNA Sequencing Next Generation Sequencing Genotyping-by-Sequencing Other Relevant Omics for Plant Breeding Breeding Informatics Case Study: Omics-led Legume Breeding Pl ant Synthetic Biology: Another Tool for Plant Breeding? References 9. Breeding Self-fertilizing Plants: From Inbred to Hybrid Cultivars Rice Domestication Genetic Enhancement Genomics Marker-aided Selection (MAS) Stress Breeding Interspecific Hybridization and Participatory Breeding Hybrid Cultivars Phenotyping Genetic Engineering Wheat Evolution and Diversity Germplasm Enhancement Resynthesizing Wheat Shuttle Breeding and Mega-environments Grain Yield Potential Perennial Wheat Biotechnology Ex ante and in silico Breeding Tomato References 10. Breeding Open Pollinated, Hybrid and Transgenic Outcrossing Species Maize Domestication and Diversity Germplasm Enhancement Breeding Inbred Line Development and Hybrids Doubled Haploids Genomics-led Improvement for Enhancing Genetic Gains Developing Stress-resilient Germplasm Nutritious Maize Prediction of Breeding Values Genetic Engineering Cotton Cassava Case Study: Cassava Breeding in sub-Saharan Africa References 11. Polyploidy and Plant Breeding Potato Origin, Diversity and Taxonomy Ploidy Manipulations Genetic Resources and Breeding True Potato Seed Genomics Genetic Engineering Banana/Plantain References 12. Seeds, Clones and Perennials Seed Development: Learning from a Model Plant System Inbred and Open Pollinated Seed Cultivars Hybrid Seed Rapid Multiplication of Healthy and Improved Planting Material of Vegetatively Propagated Crops Seed Health Apomixis: Procreation without Recreation Perennial Crops References 13. Diversity, Intellectual Property and Plant Variety Protection Plant Genetic Resources The Question of Derivatives Multinational Private and Public Seed Sectors Managing Agro-biotechnology Intellectual Property Rights References

Plant Breeding in the Omics Era

Plant domestication and crop evolution are the basis of agriculture. Their understanding, facilitated by research with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) markers, provides further knowledge to use the available genetic endowments held at genebanks in plant breeding. Collecting plant genetic resources, characterizing, evaluating and documenting them, plus their further propagation for ex situ conservation and distribution are among the most important activities of genebanks. Appropriate sampling of genebank accessions helps the management and utilization of a germplasm collection. Germplasm enhancement (or pre-breeding) assists to identify a useful trait, “capture” its genetic diversity, and to put them into a “usable” form.

Rodomiro Ortiz Ríos

Papers

Plant Genetic Conservation

Plant Breeding in the Omics Era

Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

On-Farm Conservation

Conservation Data Management