Presentations by Kate Gold
INTRODUCTION: In the case of subsistence agriculturists, dietary diversity originates from local ... more INTRODUCTION: In the case of subsistence agriculturists, dietary diversity originates from local agricultural biodiversity. However, trends such as new attitudes to food, intensive agriculture, and climate change are changing eating patterns, resulting in a loss of local food plant diversity from diets.
Biologically diverse diets are more likely to be nutritionally replete, and also contain intrinsic protective factors. There are an increasing number of initiatives promoting dietary diversity for improved child nutrition and protection against chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer. These initiatives are underpinned by agricultural biodiversity, particularly that of lesser-known and underutilised species. It is essential that germplasm, and the knowledge on how to use it, be conserved as a foundation for sustainable diets in the future.
The importance of immediate conservation has been highlighted by a needs assessment undertaken in collaboration with TATRO women’s group in Western Kenya. At least 3 species (Aframomum angustifolium K.Schum., Tristemma mauritianum J.F.Gmel. and Rubus apetalus Poir.) have been lost from the area in recent years. Another 50 species, and the associated knowledge for use were only known by the oldest members of the community. Members of TATRO have initiated their own programme to conserve germplasm and local knowledge .
CONCLUSION: Ex situ seed banks have a complementary role to play in the facilitating the conservation and promotion of underutilised food plants for sustainable diets. The Millennium Seed Bank Partnership works with global stakeholders to conserve and use the seeds of wild plant species. More than 760 species with known food use have been conserved to date. This conservation effort is supported by activities to facilitate the increased use of these species. The ‘Difficult’ seeds project has provided training and information on the successful germination of 163 priority food plants. The Useful Plants Project is working with 12 communities in 5 countries to provide seeds, plants and propagation protocols. Participating communities in Tharaka, Kenya have prioritised 76 food plants.
Equally important is conserving the know-how needed to use these species. Much of the plant biodiversity central to sustainable diets is a result of co-evolution of the plant genome and the cultural codes needed for optimal utilisation. Cultural codes are embedded in specific beliefs and practices of the people who use the food plants on a regular basis. The plant genome and cultural code combined with environmental factors result in nutritional. Ethnobotanists can play a key role in conserving cultural codes.
Books by Kate Gold
Biologically diverse diets are more likely to be nutritionally
replete, and contain intrinsic pro... more Biologically diverse diets are more likely to be nutritionally
replete, and contain intrinsic protective
factors. An increasing number of initiatives promote
dietary diversity for improved child nutrition and
protection against chronic diseases. The agricultural
biodiversity central to diverse diets, including
many lesser-known and underutilized plant species,
has developed over millennia through biocultural
evolution of the plant genome and associated cultural
codes. However, the biocultural diversity of
food plants is under threat from changing eating
patterns, intensive agriculture, and climate change,
resulting in a loss of local food plant diversity from
diets and threatening food and nutrition security. We
recommend a holistic approach promoting the use
of traditional food plant diversity together with
conservation of genetic material and associated
traditional knowledge.
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Presentations by Kate Gold
Biologically diverse diets are more likely to be nutritionally replete, and also contain intrinsic protective factors. There are an increasing number of initiatives promoting dietary diversity for improved child nutrition and protection against chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer. These initiatives are underpinned by agricultural biodiversity, particularly that of lesser-known and underutilised species. It is essential that germplasm, and the knowledge on how to use it, be conserved as a foundation for sustainable diets in the future.
The importance of immediate conservation has been highlighted by a needs assessment undertaken in collaboration with TATRO women’s group in Western Kenya. At least 3 species (Aframomum angustifolium K.Schum., Tristemma mauritianum J.F.Gmel. and Rubus apetalus Poir.) have been lost from the area in recent years. Another 50 species, and the associated knowledge for use were only known by the oldest members of the community. Members of TATRO have initiated their own programme to conserve germplasm and local knowledge .
CONCLUSION: Ex situ seed banks have a complementary role to play in the facilitating the conservation and promotion of underutilised food plants for sustainable diets. The Millennium Seed Bank Partnership works with global stakeholders to conserve and use the seeds of wild plant species. More than 760 species with known food use have been conserved to date. This conservation effort is supported by activities to facilitate the increased use of these species. The ‘Difficult’ seeds project has provided training and information on the successful germination of 163 priority food plants. The Useful Plants Project is working with 12 communities in 5 countries to provide seeds, plants and propagation protocols. Participating communities in Tharaka, Kenya have prioritised 76 food plants.
Equally important is conserving the know-how needed to use these species. Much of the plant biodiversity central to sustainable diets is a result of co-evolution of the plant genome and the cultural codes needed for optimal utilisation. Cultural codes are embedded in specific beliefs and practices of the people who use the food plants on a regular basis. The plant genome and cultural code combined with environmental factors result in nutritional. Ethnobotanists can play a key role in conserving cultural codes.
Books by Kate Gold
replete, and contain intrinsic protective
factors. An increasing number of initiatives promote
dietary diversity for improved child nutrition and
protection against chronic diseases. The agricultural
biodiversity central to diverse diets, including
many lesser-known and underutilized plant species,
has developed over millennia through biocultural
evolution of the plant genome and associated cultural
codes. However, the biocultural diversity of
food plants is under threat from changing eating
patterns, intensive agriculture, and climate change,
resulting in a loss of local food plant diversity from
diets and threatening food and nutrition security. We
recommend a holistic approach promoting the use
of traditional food plant diversity together with
conservation of genetic material and associated
traditional knowledge.
Biologically diverse diets are more likely to be nutritionally replete, and also contain intrinsic protective factors. There are an increasing number of initiatives promoting dietary diversity for improved child nutrition and protection against chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer. These initiatives are underpinned by agricultural biodiversity, particularly that of lesser-known and underutilised species. It is essential that germplasm, and the knowledge on how to use it, be conserved as a foundation for sustainable diets in the future.
The importance of immediate conservation has been highlighted by a needs assessment undertaken in collaboration with TATRO women’s group in Western Kenya. At least 3 species (Aframomum angustifolium K.Schum., Tristemma mauritianum J.F.Gmel. and Rubus apetalus Poir.) have been lost from the area in recent years. Another 50 species, and the associated knowledge for use were only known by the oldest members of the community. Members of TATRO have initiated their own programme to conserve germplasm and local knowledge .
CONCLUSION: Ex situ seed banks have a complementary role to play in the facilitating the conservation and promotion of underutilised food plants for sustainable diets. The Millennium Seed Bank Partnership works with global stakeholders to conserve and use the seeds of wild plant species. More than 760 species with known food use have been conserved to date. This conservation effort is supported by activities to facilitate the increased use of these species. The ‘Difficult’ seeds project has provided training and information on the successful germination of 163 priority food plants. The Useful Plants Project is working with 12 communities in 5 countries to provide seeds, plants and propagation protocols. Participating communities in Tharaka, Kenya have prioritised 76 food plants.
Equally important is conserving the know-how needed to use these species. Much of the plant biodiversity central to sustainable diets is a result of co-evolution of the plant genome and the cultural codes needed for optimal utilisation. Cultural codes are embedded in specific beliefs and practices of the people who use the food plants on a regular basis. The plant genome and cultural code combined with environmental factors result in nutritional. Ethnobotanists can play a key role in conserving cultural codes.
replete, and contain intrinsic protective
factors. An increasing number of initiatives promote
dietary diversity for improved child nutrition and
protection against chronic diseases. The agricultural
biodiversity central to diverse diets, including
many lesser-known and underutilized plant species,
has developed over millennia through biocultural
evolution of the plant genome and associated cultural
codes. However, the biocultural diversity of
food plants is under threat from changing eating
patterns, intensive agriculture, and climate change,
resulting in a loss of local food plant diversity from
diets and threatening food and nutrition security. We
recommend a holistic approach promoting the use
of traditional food plant diversity together with
conservation of genetic material and associated
traditional knowledge.