Agro-biodiversity as an element of nutritional and environmental security

Abstract

In this article, the importance and situation of the conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture is reviewed, taking into consideration not only the aspects specifically related to the conservation activity but also their role as components of biodiversity and providers of ecosystem services. Special attention is drawn to ex situ collections as providers of germplasm for direct use and for plant breeding, two elements that make an essential contribution to a greater resilience of agriculture to environmental changes. In particular, the state of conservation at national and global levels of genetic resources of Fabaceae species cultivated for human food and animal feed, is examined. © 2016 CSIC.