Towards a conservation strategy for Aegilops species

Abstract

Aegilopsspecies provide an invaluable source of genes for the improvement of cultivated wheats. This paper illustrates how the existing geo-referenced passport data associated withAegilopsspecies can be used to identify gaps in current conservation and also to develop a more systematic conservation strategy for the genus. Taxonomic, ecological, geographic and conservation information for the 22Aegilopsspecies were collated from ICARDA, EURISCO, GRIN and SINGER datasets, synthesized and analysed. The combined database contained 9866 unique geo-referenced observations collected between 1932 and 2004. Patterns of specific distribution based on the germplasm accession data and the predicted distribution using climatic models were compared in conservation gap analysis using GIS tools. Theex situconservation status of each taxon was assessed and used to provide a priority ranking. Futureex situcollection is recommended in Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, Libya, Spain, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The species identified with the highestex situconservation priority are as follows:Aegilops bicornis,Aegilops comosa,Aegilops juvenalis,Aegilops kotschyi,Aegilops peregrina,Aegilops sharonensis,Aegilops speltoides,Aegilops uniaristataandAegilops vavilovii. Patterns of species richness based on the germplasm accession passport data are presented and five complementary regions ofAegilopsdiversity were identified in west Syria and north Lebanon, central Israel, north-west Turkey, Turkmenistan and south France. Within these areas, 16 IUCN-recognized protected areas are found and these are identified as potential sites to establish genetic reserves. However, the premierAegilopshotspots on the Syrian/Lebanese border are not coincident with any existing internationally recognized protected areas, and here there is a need to establish a novel protected area.