Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) in the Netherlands
Cultivated crops produce the main part of our daily food. Wild plant species that are related to cultivated crops are generally referred to as ‘crop wild relatives’. CWR constitute a rich source of potentially useful traits, which can be introduced in cultivated crops through plant breeding. Improved varieties with novel traits are needed to secure our food supply when production has become at risk as a result of changing environmental conditions, such as caused by climate change. Because the continued existence of many wild plant species is uncertain due to influences such as pollution, urbanisation and climate change, it is of the utmost importance that CWR do not get lost and remain available for crop improvement. In the development of protective measures, a first step is to inventory which CWR are actually occurring within national boundaries. For the economically most important agricultural and horticultural crops, CWRnl presents the results of a CWR inventory in the Netherlands.
CWR overview
This website shows an overview of CWR described as native or introduced to the Netherlands before the year 1900. The species are classified per crop, by their English name and by their botanical name.
CWR conservation and access
Maintenance of wild species in their natural environment is of course the preferred strategy, which is referred to as in situ conservation. However, ex situ conservation through the storage of seed samples in gene banks is desired for wild species that are endangered under natural conditions. Safeguarding under ex situ conditions will keep the diversity available for utilization, including nature management and crop improvement. In 2020 the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN) started a programme to collect and conserve seed samples of CWR. On CWRnl this programme is outlined, while also information is presented how to access CWR.
Publications
Effects of climate change on the distribution of crop wild relatives in the Netherlands in relation to conservation status and ecotope variation
Van Treuren, Rob, Roel Hoekstra, Ron Wehrens, Theo J.L. van Hintum (2020). Global Ecology and Conservation 23.
Van Treuren, Rob, Roel Hoekstra, Theo J.L. van Hintum (2017). Biological Conservation 216 (2017). - ISSN 0006-3207 - p. 123 - 139.
Crop wild relatives range shifts and conservation in Europe under climate change
Aguirre-Gutiérrez, Jesús, Rob van Treuren, Roel Hoekstra, Theo J.L. van Hintum (2017). Diversity and Distributions 23 (2017)7. - ISSN 1366-9516 - p. 739 - 750.