Based on the 2010 conference 'Towards the establishment of genetic reserves for crop wild relatives and landraces in Europe', this book is the cutting-edge discussion of agrobiodiversity conservation. By considering the benefits of understanding and preserving crop wild relatives and landraces, it encompasses issues as wide-ranging and topical as habitat protection, ecosystem health and food security. "Agrobiodiversity Conservation" focuses on Europe, but is globally relevant. It is suitable for postgraduate students of conservation and environmental studies, conservation professiona.

Community seed banks first appeared towards the end of the 1980s, established with the support of international and national non-governmental organizations. This book is the first to provide a global review of their development and includes a wide range of case studies. Countries that pioneered various types of community seed banks include Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Nicaragua, the Philippines and Zimbabwe. In the North, a particular type of community seed bank emerged known as a seed-savers network. Such networks were first established in Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA before spreading to other countries. Over time, the number and diversity of seed banks has grown. In Nepal, for example, there are now more than 100 self-described community seed banks whose functions range from pure conservation to commercial seed production. In Brazil, community seed banks operate in various regions of the country. Surprisingly, despite 25 years of history and the rapid growth in number, organizational diversity and geographical coverage of community seed banks, recognition of their roles and contributions has remained scanty. The book reviews their history, evolution, experiences, successes and failures (and reasons why), challenges and prospects. It fills a significant gap in the literature on agricultural biodiversity and conservation, and their contribution to food sovereignty and security.

Why agrobiodiversity?; The origins of agrobiodiversity in agriculture; The nature and role of crop biodiversity; Biodiversity in domesticated animals; The regulation and functional significance of soil biodiversity in sgroecosystems; Pathogen biodiversity: its nature, characterization and consequences; Insect biodiversity in agroecosystems: function, value and optimization: Determinants of agrobiodiversity in the agricultural landscape; Traditional management of agrobiodiversity; Does mplant breeding lead to a loss of genetic diversity?; The effects of pest management strategies on biodiversity in agroecosystems; The effects of alternative tillage systems on biodiversity in agroecosystems; Seed management systems and effects on diversity; Conservation of agrobiodiversity; A conceptual framework for valuing on-farm genetic resources; Regulatory issues; Agrtobiodiversity and natural biodiversity: some parallels; Optimizing biodiversity for productive agriculture.

This publication demonstrates the benefits of neglected and underutilized species, including amaranth, sorghum and cowpea, and their potential contribution to achieving Zero Hunger in South and Southeast Asia.