Agricultural Biodiversity and the Columbian Exchange

Author(s):  
David E. Williams
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6743
Author(s):  
Veerala Priyanka ◽  
Rahul Kumar ◽  
Inderpreet Dhaliwal ◽  
Prashant Kaushik

Germplasm is a valuable natural resource that provides knowledge about the genetic composition of a species and is crucial for conserving plant diversity. Germplasm protection strategies not only involve rescuing plant species threatened with extinction, but also help preserve all essential plants, on which rests the survival of all organisms. The successful use of genetic resources necessitates their diligent collection, storage, analysis, documentation, and exchange. Slow growth cultures, cryopreservation, pollen and DNA banks, botanical gardens, genetic reserves, and farmers’ fields are a few germplasm conservation techniques being employed. However, the adoption of in-vitro techniques with any chance of genetic instability could lead to the destruction of the entire substance, but the improved understanding of basic regeneration biology would, in turn, undoubtedly increase the capacity to regenerate new plants, thus expanding selection possibilities. Germplasm conservation seeks to conserve endangered and vulnerable plant species worldwide for future proliferation and development; it is also the bedrock of agricultural production.


Author(s):  
Loren Galesi

This article examines the transfer and reception of maize into Europe in the wake of the Columbian Exchange. Treating maize as a plant – and reviewing familiar historical sources through the lens of the plant’s likes and dislikes, its requirements and inherent traits – provides us with a novel source of information about how maize might have moved through European spaces, even in cases where the traditional historical record is silent. This article will make use of such data, employing current genetic research to interpret art and textual sources. I will show that all maize originally transported to Europe hailed from one slim gene pool. I will argue that the unique characteristics of those seeds impacted on the way maize fit into European ecosystems, and consequently into European cultures.


Author(s):  
Simon J. Attwood ◽  
Sarah E. Park ◽  
Paul Marshall ◽  
John H. Fanshawe ◽  
Hannes Gaisberger

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
N. Blackhawk
Keyword(s):  

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 95-110
Author(s):  
Susan H. Bragdon

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030 adopted by the global community in September 2015 are applicable to all countries with the commitment “that no one is left behind.” As an agenda for “people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership”, Agenda 2030 provides a vision for people and planet-centered, human rights-based, and gender-sensitive sustainable development. It promises “more peaceful and inclusive societies” which are free from fear and violence. Small scale farmers and agricultural biodiversity are critical to the achievement of aspects of most of the SDGs. In addition to being essential for the resilience and stability of agricultural production systems and our ability to adapt to climate change and other stressors; agricultural biodiversity is fundamental to the livelihoods, health and nutrition of billions Despite its importance to the health of both people and the planet, this broad understanding of what agricultural biological diversity is and the critical role played by its custodians, gets no explicit mention in the SDGs. In fact, awareness of this is low outside specialized institutions and agreements and explicit mention of both is rare in the context of sustainable development This paper uses the example of small-scale farmers and agricultural biodiversity to illustrate how they are the living links amongst the SDGs as well as being critical components in their achievement and to the vision of Agenda 2030.  


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document