Course: Biodiversity, Plant and Animal Genetic Resources (3802-421)

Persons:

• apl ProfDr Frank Rasche (verantwortlich)

Type of Course:

lecture with seminar and excursion

In-Class Hours Per Week:

5

Contents:

As an interdisciplinary effort, this module gives an overview of fundamental aspects of biodiversity in natural and agricultural ecosystems in the tropics (incl. definitions, concepts). The lectures deal with: general aspects of diversity (genetic structure of populations, parameters for genetic diversity within and between populations, molecular markers as tools for assessment of genetic diversity; and economic value of biodiversity), plant genetic resources - PGR (underexploited/neglected PGR, exploration and collection, ex situ and in situ conservation, seed physiology aspects, farmers' knowledge on plant diversity, diversity of crop species, utilisation of PGR in plant breeding) and animal genetic resources - AGR (status and documentation, characterization, conservation of AGR and utilization in breeding; economic valuation of farm AGR). Further themes are the economic evaluation of agrobiodiversity, wildlife utilization and management, as well as genetic resources of rhizosphere microorganisms.

Lectures and discussions, seminars and/or posters prepared by students under supervision, excursion; powerpoint presentations, video, handouts.

Literature:

BEWLEY, J.D. and BLACK, M. 1994. Seeds, physiology of development and germination. Plenum Press, London, UK.
GASTON, K.J. and SPICER, J.I. 1998. Biodiversity: An Introduction. Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK.
GUARINO, L., RAMANATHA RAO, V., and REID, R. (eds) 1995. Collecting plant genetic diversity: Technical guidelines. CAB International, Wallingford and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Rome, Italy.
HEDRICK, P.W. 1985: Genetics of populations. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Boston, USA.
KARP, A., ISAAC, P.G., and INGRAM D.S. (eds.) 1998. Molecular tools for screening biodiversity ? plants and animals. Chapman & Hall, London, UK.
PAYNE, W.J.A. and WILSON, R.T. (1999). An introduction to animal husbandry in the tropics. Longman, New York, USA.
SCHERF, B.D. (ed.) 1995. World watch list for domestic animal diversity. 2nd Ed. FAO-UEP, Rome, Italy.
TEN KATE, K. and LAIRD, S.A. 1999. The commercial use of biodiversity: Access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing. Earthscan Publications Ltd, London, UK.

Relevant websites (as of 05/2007):

www.unep-wcmc.org/assessments/index.htm
www.biodiv.org/default.shtml
www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/projects/worldmap/

Location:

Hohenheim

Remarks:

Teaching strategies: -Lectures - to provide fundamental knowledge relevant to biodiversity - Group assignment - to encourage broader interdisciplinary thinking and design in a group context - Examination - the final test of competency Assessment: written exam 80%; seminar/poster presentation 20%

Module:

• 3802-420 Biodiversity, Plant and Animal Genetic Resources (compulsory)