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Priority areas for the in situ conservation of crop wild relatives in South Africa

Part of: Crop Wild Relatives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2019

Stephen Holness ,
Michelle Hamer ,
Joana Magos Brehm  and
Domitilla Raimondo
Stephen Holness
Affiliation:
Zoology Department, Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, PO Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa
Michelle Hamer*
Affiliation:
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Private Bag X101, Silverton, Pretoria, 0184, South Africa School of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X101, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, 3209, South Africa
Joana Magos Brehm
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
Domitilla Raimondo
Affiliation:
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Private Bag X101, Silverton, Pretoria, 0184, South Africa
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: M.Hamer@sanbi.org.za
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Abstract

Crop wild relatives (CWR) are wild plant taxa that have broader genetic diversity than crops hence they are an excellent source of genes and traits to improve crops. The potential value of CWR for agriculture and the need to protect these plants in their natural habitats (in situ) have been recognized globally. South Africa has the richest temperate flora globally, and the checklist of food and fodder CWR for the country considers 258 taxa to be high priority for conservation. A systematic conservation planning approach was used for spatial prioritization for in situ conservation actions for CWR. Protected areas were categorized on the basis of their CWR richness. The Kruger National Park has the highest number of CWR (66 taxa), but most of these are widespread and common. Fifty-seven protected areas, most of which are in the Western and Eastern Cape fynbos, are irreplaceable for protecting a number of endemic and threatened CWR. For priority CWR not adequately represented in existing protected areas, a spatial plan was developed to identify the smallest area that aligns with existing targets for the National Protected Areas Expansion Strategy, that are not transformed in terms of habitat, and that are projected to be climate change resilient. Mechanisms for ensuring uptake of the recommendations for the in situ conservation of CWR have been documented in a National Strategy and Action Plan and these include making information and data available and promoting the inclusion of CWR in current management and monitoring activities.

Keywords

biodiversityclimate changespatial planningprotected areas expansion strategy
Type
Research Article
Information
Plant Genetic Resources , Volume 17 , Special Issue 2: Crop Wild Relatives , April 2019 , pp. 115 - 127
Copyright
Copyright © NIAB 2019 

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