Conservation of Genetic Resources: Costs and Implications for a Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

ISBN-13: 9783540653431 / Angielski / Twarda / 1999 / 243 str.

Detlef Virchow; D. Virchow; N. Untersteiner

Opis

Over the past decade the importance of natural resources for sustainable agricultural development has been increasingly discussed at international forums and conferences. Aside from the sustainable management of soil, water, and air, it now seems to be accepted that the sustainable management of genetic resources is one of the four indispensable preconditions for a sustainable agriculture. The discussion on conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), however, has to reflect the costs of conservation as well. These have not yet been discussed intensively. The study analyzes the conservation costs of plant genetic resources; it also assesses the effectiveness of conservation and the efficiency of the different conservation instruments. It is based on extensive surveys in relevant countries. Following the detailed cost and impact analysis, the results show that the effectiveness of conservation strategies may be increased.

Spis treści

1 Introduction.- 1.1 Problems.- 1.2 Definitions of Genetic Resources.- 1.3 Research Questions and Approach.- 1.3.1 Research Questions.- 1.3.2 Approach and Data Sources.- 1.4 Study Overview.- 2 Genetic Resources: Status, Development, Losses, and Conservation Management.- 2.1 State and Development of the World’s Genetic Diversity Centers.- 2.1.1 Centers for Plant Genetic Diversity.- 2.1.2 Centers of Agrobiodiversity.- 2.1.3 The Interdependence of Countries on PGRFA.- 2.2 Extent and Determinants of Genetic Extinction.- 2.2.1 Review and Critical Analysis of the Methodologies of Recording of Losses.- 2.2.2 Determinants for the Loss of PGRFA.- 2.3 Similarities and Differences Between Biodiversity and Agrobiodiversity.- 2.4 Methods for Conservation of PGRFA.- 2.4.1 Ex Situ Conservation Management.- 2.4.2 In Situ Conservation.- 2.4.3 Combination of ex Situ and in Situ Methods.- 3 Economic Framework of Conservation.- 3.1 Conceptual Overview.- 3.2 Economic Valuation of Environmental Goods at a National Level.- 3.2.1 General Concept of Assessing Environmental Goods.- 3.2.2 Method for Economic Valuation of PGRFA Conservation.- 3.3 Analysis of the Beneficiaries of PGRFA Conservation.- 3.4 Incentives for the Conservation of PGRFA.- 3.4.1 Theory of the Conservation of PGRFA.- 3.4.2 Economic Mechanisms of Incentives for the Conservation of PGRFA.- 4 Institutional Frameworks for the Exchange and Utilization of PGRFA.- 4.1 Institutional Aspects of Exchange of PGRFA.- 4.2 Actors in the Conservation and Exchange Activities of Plant Genetic Resources.- 4.3 Protection of Intellectual Property Rights as Enforcement of the Exchange of PGRFA.- 4.3.1 International Agreements and the Ownership of Genetic Resources.- 4.3.2 International Agreements and Their Coherence.- 4.4 Different Systems for the Transaction of Genetic Resources.- 4.4.1 Multilateral System of PGRFA Exchange.- 4.4.2 Bilateral System of PGRFA Exchange.- 4.4.3 Market System of PGRFA Exchange.- 4.4.4 Determinants for the Development of Different Exchange Systems and Their Funding.- 5 Conservation Costs of PGRFA.- 5.1 Analysis of the Costs for PGRFA Conservation According to Different Categories.- 5.1.1 Costs of ex Situ Conservation.- 5.1.2 Costs of in Situ Conservation.- 5.1.3 Transaction Costs of PGRFA Conservation.- 5.2 Expenditures of PGRFA Conservation at Country Level.- 5.3 Analysis of the International Expenditures in 1995.- 5.4 Effectiveness of PGRFA Conservation for Analyzed Countries.- 6 Two Examples of PGRFA Conservation Systems: India and Germany.- 6.1 Indian Case Study.- 6.1.1 Indian National Plant Genetic Resources System.- 6.1.2 National Policy on Plant Variety Recognition in India.- 6.1.3 Production and Distribution of Quality Seed.- 6.2 German Case Study.- 6.2.1 German System of PGRFA Conservation.- 6.2.2 Breeding.- 6.3 Summary of the Indian and German Case Studies.- 7 Conclusions for PGRFA Conservation Policy and Further Research Issues.- 7.1 The Conservation and Service Center as a Focal Point for PGRFA Conservation Management.- 7.2 Incentives of Moderation.- 7.3 Compensation or Internalization?.- 7.4 Increasing Effectiveness Through a Market System, Technology Development and Cooperation.- 8 Summary.- 9 Zusammenfassung.- 10 Appendices.- 11 References.