AGROBIODIVERSITY: CONSERVATION, THREATS, CHALLENGES, AND STRATEGIES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

The conservation of agrobiodiversity begins by its characterisation to know it. On this knowledge, we must study the interactions of the different species with their abiotic and biotic context. However, as a consequence of the effects of climate change, the abiotic context is variable and extreme. Therefore, abiotic stress induced by climate change jeopardises both the biodiversity and plant genetic resources, therefore, food security. The latter is more drastic in developing communities. Thus, given the predictions of the effects of climate change at different geographical levels, it is urgent to develop strategies that might improve the management of biodiversity and promote resilience against said effects. On the one hand, preserving and describing the agrobiodiversity allows us to identify the genetic material most appropriate under different abiotic contexts. On the other hand, plants, including crops, are not isolated species and develop in a very heterogeneous biotic context that can enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stress. In this work, we review key concepts, threats, challenges, and strategies to improve agrobiodiversity management.