On this final episode dealing with agricultural biodiversity, I speak with Dr. Suzanne Nelson, Director of conservation with Native Seeds/SEARCH. We discuss the mission and work of the organization, and the cultural and biological signifance of the crops of the desert Southwest.
We also touch on the socio-economic implications of agricultural biodiversity, including the effect of NAFTA, and the potential effects of global warming. Next, we’ll be interviewing experts and activists in the area of Community Supported Agriculture
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Podcast: Download (Duration: 33:10 — 30.4MB)
I wanted to follow up on your question about how important agrobiodiversity might be to future food security. Though I still agree with your comment about it being very important in terms of being able to find new crops able to deal with changing environmental conditions - global warming, etc., I would like to suggest that agricultural diversity HAS ALWAYS BEEN important. That we chose to act as if ‘the well would never run dry’ doesn’t mean that diversity itself wasn’t important to our agricultural productivity or food security. The importance of diversity - it’s impact on our food systems is the same now and will be in the future as it ever was. Because there is less diversity now than in the past, it’s VALUE is going up because it’s becoming a scarce resource. So, it’s definitely more valuable, but not necessarily more ‘important’ (it’s basic role in our ability to feed the world hasn’t changed; without diversity the options for developing plants able to respond to changing environmental conditions are limited -
that has always been the case). In fact, it might be argued that if we’d taken it as seriously ‘then’ as we do ‘now’, we might not be in as big a
mess as we are……maybe. Just a thought!
Genetic Engineering is a HUGE problem, and contamination is really uncontollable. It would be worth it to have experts come in and check the seeds in order to protect them. Right now is a very critical time and congress is about ready to take away states rights for requiring labeling, also they are going to add 38 non organic ingredients under the USDA Organic label. http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org is a great site to get more info. Thanks for all you do!
Karen
The words are heterozygous genetics. DNA has both the genetic component, which is etched in stone based on the parental makeup and the more fluid aspect of it that responds to current environmental stimuli. It is the product of all the generations that came before and represents a zone of tolerance (e.g. tolerance to drought).
This is why live members of the redwood family survive but the understory is not filled with new redwood trees. The parent tree can survive with its tool kit of genetic experiences, which is the fluid response but its seed, though viable can’t establish itself. Take a look at the understory!
Does the Irish potatoe famine sound familiar? It is not just about genetic diversity but it is also about the types of plants grown together. Monocultures are a sure way to reduce one’s success!