Number of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in either medium- or long-term conservation facilities

Definition

The conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in medium- or long-term conservation facilities (ex situ in gene banks) represents the most trusted means of conserving genetic resources worldwide. Measured as plant genetic resources accessions stored ex situ (number).

Relevance

Diversification (of portfolios, livelihoods, income, source of food, etc.) is an essential risk strategy well established both theoretically and empirically in the general literature. The number of plant and animal genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in conservation facilities is considered a buffering capacity, providing a back-up in times of crises and shocks and indicating the food and agricultural diversity ex-situ ‘stock’ of a country