PLANT GENETIC-RESOURCES IN THE ANDES - IMPACT, CONSERVATION, AND MANAGEMENT

The Andean region harbors a variety of ecological niches including tropical mountains, Pacific coastal and Amazonian humid lowlands, and many intermediate microclimates. These areas contain a great diversity of crops and their wild relatives. Much of this diversity is indigenous and much has been selected by man. This genetic diversity includes food plants and their wild relatives, in addition to medicines, condiments, colorants, and spices. Both great empires and small indigenous groups have used various plants over thousands of years. Unfortunately, many landraces and their wild relatives have disappeared and others are near extinction. Although many collecting expeditions and some research projects have been conducted on these plants, more funding is needed for germplasm collection and conservation. National programs of plant genetic resources have been formed in the Andean countries to presence and maintain this diversity and develop additional research. Both the Andean countries and the whole world will benefit from the discovery and market development of indigenous food, medicine, and industrial crops. These new agricultural products can be an important economic resource in emerging world markets and international trade.