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GEO-6 Regional Assessment for Latin America and the Caribbean


some species of birds have been observed for SFM in Bolivia (Kuijk et al. 2009). It is very important therefore to highlight the need for further studies on the biodiversity impacts and benefits derived from the SFM approach.


Preserving genetic diversity in LAC


Genetic diversity can be conserved in situ in the wild or in crop fields, or ex situ in gene banks, which are maintained at the local and national level by governments, universities, botanical gardens, NGOs, private


sector, farmers and


others in the private and public sectors. In LAC, the efforts to maintain genetic diversity of many relevant crop species including forage species, ornamental, and forests species, have been remarkable. In the past ten year, several countries in the region have carried out important germ plasma collection missions. In total about 10 000 accessions were reported for South America (with remarkable efforts by Argentina with about 7 000 accessions) and 2 600 in Mesoamerica (FAO 2010b).


The most important gene bank collections in LAC include: the Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Trigo y Maíz (CIMMYT) in Mexico; the Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP) in Peru; the Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE) in Costa Rica; the Centro Internacional de Agriculura Tropical (CIAT) in Colombia; the Embrapa Centre for Biotechnology and Genetic Resources (Embrapa- CENARGEN) in Brazil; the West Indies Central Sugarcane Breeding Station (WICSBS); and the International Cocoa Gene bank in Trinidad and Tobago (ICGT) at the University of the West Indies. Some of these are holders of the largest ex situ collections of selected crops. The total number of accessions in some is significant: 327 932 accessions of maize in the CIMMYT; 261 963 accessions for beans in the CIAT; and 35 478 accessions of sweet potato in the CIP (FAO 2010b).


The conservation of genetic diversity in wild species is closely linked to the conservation of wild populations. In this regard, measures to protect ecosystems and species may benefit the conservation of genetic diversity. In the case of crop varieties, the success of programmes oriented to the conservation of genetic diversity must take into account the farmers involved in agricultural activities, and traditions of indigenous communities (More…33).


One of the most remarkable actions in the region to preserve genetic diversity in situ is the Parque de la Papa (Potato Park), which was established in the Cusco region (Peru) between quechuas communities and NGOs with international financing. This initiative is a pioneer of in situ conservation of genetic diversity. The initiative stems from the Peruvian laws (Ley Perú 27 811 and 28 216) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources (FAO 2009), which encourages indigenous property rights based on traditional knowledge and technologies.


In terms of legislation and national policies, it is worth highlighting Brazil´s Law No. 13 123 of May 20, 2015 on “Access and Benefits Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge”. This Law regulates access to components of the genetic heritage, protection of and access to related traditional knowledge and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits for the conservation and sustainable use of Brazilian biodiversity. Although it is too early to assess the effectiveness of this law, particularly concerning the protection of Indigenous and traditional peoples’ rights, it is clear that this law will facilitate and promote academic research and fair use of biodiversity not possible in the past (Welch 2015). In many LAC countries regulations on Living Modified Organisms exist (More…34).


See references for Chapter 2.


Credit: UNEP/Andrea Salinas „ 122


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