Why conservation of genetic resources is important?

Taxonomic research provides crucial information for effective environmental conservation. Genetic resources are the building blocks of life on earth. By developing our understanding of them, and conserving them, we can improve conservation of threatened species, and the communities who depend on them.

What is preservation of animal genetic resources?

The purpose of preservation is the maintenance of the present stock without genetic change. Selection aims at improvement, i.e. the advantageous genetic change in the population.

What is meant by animal genetic resources?

Animal genetic resources are defined as genetic diversity in domesticated animal species having economic or other socio-cultural values and found among species, among animal breeds within the species and in cryoconserved material (embryos and semen).

What is management of animal genetic resources?

The term “animal genetic resources” is used to include all breeds, types, varieties and populations of animals that inhabit the earth under both improved and unimproved conditions. The conservation and management of these resources is a subject of great concern to both FAO and UNEP.

How can we preserve genetic resources?

On-site conservation is called as in-situ conservation, which means conservation of genetic resources in the form of natural populations by establishing biosphere reserves such as national parks and sanctuaries. Practices like horticulture and floriculture also preserve plants in a natural habitat.

How can we conserve genetic resources?

For orthodox seeds, large scale mechanical refrigeration systems, which hold seeds at temperatures down to -20° C, have greatly increased the storage life of a seed sample making ex-situ conservation of seed germplasm an easy and safe method of conservation.

How cryopreservation can be of great importance for the conservation of genetic resources?

The primary benefit of cryoconservation is the ability to save germplasms for extended periods of time, therefore maintaining the genetic diversity of a species or breed. There are two common techniques of cryopreservation: slow freezing and vitrification.

What is Plant Germplasm?

Seeds, plants, or plant parts that are useful in crop breeding, research, or conservation. Plants, seed, or cultures that are maintained for the purposes of studying, managing, or using the genetic information they possess.

Why is animal genetics important?

Animal geneticists have identified elements within genes that can enhance animal growth, health, and ability to utilize nutrients. These genetic advances can increase production while reducing environmental impacts.

What is threats to animal genetic resources?

The major threats of livestock genetic resources are genetic dilution through the use of exotic germ plasma, feed shortage, illegal trafficking, inbreeding and interbreeding, and trypanosomiasis disease.

What is plant genetic resources of developing countries?

According to the 1983 revised International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), plant genetic resources are defined as the entire generative and vegetative reproductive material of species with economical and/or social value, especially for the …

Why is it important to conserve germplasm of crop species?

Genetic variation leads to the loss of genetic information of earlier generations, which makes germplasm conservation an important aspect to preserve this information regarding endangered, primitive, or even any existing species.