Maarit Heinonen, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, maarit.heinonen@mtt.fi
Sirkku Juhola, Umeå University, sirkku.juhola@geography.umu.se
Ulla Partanen, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, ulla.partanen@mtt.fi
Working Group 4.6
Identifying diversified values and meanings of agrobiodiversity
Agrobiodiversity is a multifaceted term that includes all the components of biological diversity that are relevant to food and agriculture and that constitute agro-ecosystems. It is the outcome of the interactions among genetic resources, the environment and the management systems and practices used by farmers. This interaction brings in many social, cultural and economic dimensions, such as sustainable use and conservation.
In this working group we will highlight the diversified values and meanings of agrobiodiversity among different actor groups in society ranging from farmers and other managers of agrobiodiversity to decision-makers and consumers, and not forgetting the processors of biodiversity knowledge in research and product development. We are especially interested in social, cultural and economic values and meanings anchored to national (or indigenous or local) agricultural genetic resources: how they can be identified, what contexts they stem from, and how this understanding of values and meanings can be translated to the use of e.g. product development and conservation processes. Specific themes to be addressed include:
- The value profiles of various actors: e.g. analysis of the value context of producers of indigenous domestic animals or landrace growers, and which values promote or may promote sustainable use and conservation. Comparison of different value profiles (e.g. farmers and other managers of agrobiodiversity, such as NGOs, hobbyists, museums) are fruitful in revealing possible challenges in in situ management of agrobiodiversity. Moreover, studies on how citizens value genetic resources, needs for conservation and niche products.
- Interaction between different actors: especially crucial is the interaction between decision-makers and both in situ and ex situ managers of agrobiodiversity. The flow and quality of information in this interaction are reflected in support systems for genetic resources and the practical interpretation of relevant legislation.
- Status of the socio-cultural knowledge of genetic resources: what kind of social and cultural information on a single landrace or an indigenous domestic animal can be identified and with which methods? What additional value would this indigenous knowledge bring and to whom? How could this knowledge be documented, and could it be utilized in prevailing documentation and information systems of genetic resources (e.g. gene bank documentation systems)? Experience of research and development projects’ handling of indigenous knowledge of local genetic resources - its collection, documentation and usage - are welcomed.
Although we emphasise experiences on diversified values and socio-cultural meanings of local genetic resources for food and agriculture in Europe and industrialized countries, the current situation in developing countries rich in biodiversity would be very fruitful for comparison. There are plenty of studies on indigenous knowledge on local genetic resources and on in situ management on agrobiodiversity in biodiversity centres; there are much less research on European ones. We have our own local genetic resources for food and agriculture also in Europe not only stored in gene banks for farm animals, and for agricultural and horticultural plants but also on farms and fields. We invite researchers to discuss those social, economic and cultural meanings and values which are carried in local genetic resources for food and agriculture.
Publication opportunities will be investigated for the papers of this WG.