The Nordic Priority Crop Wild Relative Dataset
Aim: The
aim of this dataset is to provide a list of the Crop Wild Relatives
(CWR) in the Nordic region that are most important for future food
security, and to provide basic data on geographic distribution, gene
pool affinity,
invasiveness, and threat level. The dataset can serve as a basis for
Nordic level, as well as national level, conservation planning and
implementation.
Method: A comprehensive CWR checklist for all Nordic CWR taxa was developed in 2017 (Fitzgerald et al., 2017). The taxa on this list were
prioritized based on socio-economic value of the related crop(s) and
potential utilization value of the CWR for breeding, resulting in the
first version of the priority dataset. More information on how the
prioritization was performed can be found in Fitzgerald et al. (2019).
In 2021,
an update of the dataset was made. Nordic scientists and plant breeders
were contacted and asked if, in their opinion, there were taxa missing
from the dataset. All suggestions were considered and evaluated for
socio-economic
value and utilization potential. The taxa deemed to fulfill the
criteria were added to the list. Also, information on national threat
category and national invasive category were added, and information on local names and geographic distribution were updated.
Results: The result of the analysis is a list/data set
of CWR prioritized based on socio-economic value of the related crop(s)
and potential utilization value of the CWR. The list includes
information on national occurrence (indigenous, naturalized foreign, temporary findings), to which genepool/taxon group the CWR belongs, use category (food/forage), national threat status and national invasiveness classification.
