Annona Species Monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future

Chapter 8. Genetic Resources
8.2 In situ conservation
The establishment of protected natural areas constitutes one of the principal
strategies for in situ conservation of wild populations, allowing for their
continued evolution. The major criteria to select areas by genetic reserves are
diversity, intrinsic fragility, vulnerability, and high degree of endemism with
current and potential use. Generally, in situ conservation is practised in preestablished
protected areas, where inclusion of significant Annona genetic
diversity is a random event, rather than planned. Nonetheless, conservation
areas throughout the Americas and in central-eastern Africa should be
surveyed for the presence of Annona populations, both wild populations of
the species discussed in this book, and wild species and populations of other
annonas. However, in situ conservation is not always possible or acceptable
(Ndambuki, 1991).
In situ conservation also includes on-farm (including backyard) conservation.
Incentives could be given to large and small farmers, and to indigenous
peoples, to continue cultivation using traditional agricultural methods.
Ideally, agro-ecosystems should be preserved in their totality and should be
evaluated comprehensively.
The economic environment of the farm household determines the degree of
genetic diversity used in its agricultural system (Goeschl, 1998) and,
consequently, the amount available for on-farm conservation. The causal link
between market conditions and conservation efforts on-farm offers scope for
policy interventions, such as deliberate changes in economic parameters.
Goeschl (1998) suggests both market and non-market incentives, the latter
directed at the individual farm situation.
In Tocantins State, northern Brazil, the Brazilian Corporation for
Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA) has started a project with the Kraô, an
indigenous group, to encourage the conservation of their genetic resources,
especially on-farm genetic resources. The first step of this project is to carry
out a survey of species occurring in this area. Ferreira and Bustamante (2000)
commented that ethnobotany can help to establish new alternatives for
conservation and use of genetic resources via on-farm conservation,
including for Annona species. No other references have been found on the in
situ conservation of Annona species.
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