2001 Global Meetings

(1) Global Thematic Meeting --In Situ Data Management and Structure

In Situ data structure and management system protocols were initiated with the participating countries at this Global Thematic meeting in Nairobi, 12-17 February 2001. The main objective of the meeting was to discuss and agree on a common method for data definitions, data structure, data management, data analysis and formation of results. In particular the partners discussed and initiated an agreed In Situ data guideline/checklist for data variables and their definitions, In Situ data guideline for data descriptions for coded data and an agreed system for coding, and In Situ data protocols for data structure and data management (Figure 1). The partners also reviewed available resources within their countries for data management and analysis (including training needs and computer facilities) and recommended data analysis and data presentation methods and packages. Future work for 2002 includes looking into open source data structure and management systems and producing open source training materials for national programmes to manage In Situ data.

Figure 1 - Global Data Structure

(2) Global Thematic Meeting -- Genetic Diversity and On-farm Conservation

A global workshop was organised from 11 to 19 June in Burkina Faso to examine issues of genetic diversity and on-farm conservation as one of the thematic components of global project. In addition to the participation of partners from the global In Situ project, partners from three other IPGRI supported projects working with on-farm conservation were invited: (1) Musa on-farm conservation in East Africa (Uganda and Tanzania), (2) In Situ conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources in desert-prone areas of Africa (Mali and Zimbabwe), and (3) In-situ/On-farm conservation of horticultural crops in Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan). The main objectives of the workshop were to move forward with the data already collected in a genetic diversity context, and to exchange ideas on what partners of the project have achieved until now in terms of understanding the amount and distribution of genetic diversity and the processes that affect the maintenance of this genetic diversity over time. The following issues were discussed.

• Population genetics concepts and their application to each country in terms of breeding systems, richness, evenness, evolutionary processes, species characters affecting genetic diversity and effective population sizes.
• Options for measuring the extent and distribution of diversity on-farm in the participating countries. Case studies were presented for sorghum from Mali, sorghum and Millet from Burkina Faso, Chilli from Peru, rice from Vietnam and Nepal, durum wheat from Ethiopia, maize and common bean from Hungary, and Taro from Nepal.
• Comparative, correlated and changing patterns of diversity in production systems, including the distribution of diversity (selection, maintenance, species biology, seed systems and meta-populations).
• Improvements for Chapters 4, 5, and 6 of "A training Guide to In Situ Conservation On-Farm"; these chapters deal with genetic diversity issues and on-farm conservation.
• Formulation and testing of hypotheses for In Situ conservation management and decision-making.
• Data management of on-farm genetic diversity data: definition and structure.
• Using the results from the country components to support conservation decisions.

Training was also given on genetic diversity statistical analysis. In addition, the participants make the following recommendations for the global project:

Recommendation 1: Disseminate lessons learned to date to other countries proposing to implement In Situ conservation on-farm programmes

• In particular the participant from Benin has requested that the Global project experiences be used to help implement an In Situ conservation programme in Benin.

Recommendation 2: Refine, continue to develop, and test hypotheses that will increase knowledge to enable action plans for genetic diversity conservation and use. Key areas noted for attention were:

• Comparisons among crops are needed
• Multiple cropping systems within an ecosystem need to be examined
• Further formulation of hypotheses in the areas of wild-cultivated interface
• Further formulation of hypotheses in the area of farmer selection processes and the effect of these selection processes on genetic diversity
• Further formulation of hypotheses that reinforce the link between genetics, ecology and social sciences

Recommendation 3: Further address the issue of sampling strategies to test different hypotheses

• More discussion is needed on ensuring that the appropriate sampling strategy is used to test hypotheses.
• Comparison between countries on different sampling strategies is needed and is a discussion point for the genetic diversity Email discussion group. A moderator should be identified to take the lead on this question.

Recommendation 4: Training in genetic diversity data analysis

• National programmes to take lead in presenting training needs for national training.

Recommendation 5: Training in data management for In Situ data and further refinement of the In Situ data structure and mega-data dictionary

• Training in computer programme Access has been agreed upon for all countries. Countries to take lead in identifying short within-country courses.
• Partners to review current data structure and mega-data dictionary and to forward comments to IPGRI regional staff for compiling and refining by SSA office.

Recommendation 6: Evaluation of the different tools and techniques used by the different countries for data sampling, data analysis (field, laboratory, statistical, geographical) and data presentation.

• Cross-country and site comparisons are needed to compile the pros and cons of the different tools and techniques being used.
• A focal point should be identified to take the lead on this issue
  

(3) International Symposium -- Managing Biodiversity in Agricultural Ecosystems

An International Symposium on Managing Biodiversity in Agroecosystems was convened from 8-10 November 2001 in Montreal, Canada. The Symposium was organised by IPGRI together with the United National University and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Symposium was organised on a thematic basis covering the topics of: crop and livestock genetic resources; associated biodiversity and agro-ecosystem services; and landscape, scale and change. The three-day symposium brought together 140 participants from the academic, government, research, development and not-profit worlds to share case studies, initiatives and ideas on the management of biodiversity in agroecosystems. Thirty-two abstracts were submitted to the symposium from partners of the IPGRI Global In Situ Conservation Project. Twenty-two IPGRI partners attended the meeting with national partners from Morocco, Burkina Faso, Nepal, and Vietnam giving keynote talks, and other partners from Mexico, Peru, Vietnam, Nepal, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Ethiopia and Hungary presenting posters.

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