Animal Genetics has a Special Issue on “A Global View of Livestock Biodiversity and Conservation,” coordinated by Paolo Ajmone-Marsan and Licia Colli. Read more … (Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog) Continue reading
Category Archives: Biodiversity
A voice for agriculture in the International Year of Biodiversity
Now that agriculture is regaining its rightful place on the international development agenda, it’s time for agricultural biodiversity to become the center of attention as well, particularly in view of its vital importance for coping with the intricately linked issues of global food security and climate change. The United Nations has designated 2010 as the … Continue reading
Asia / Biodiversity / NRM / South Asia / Wildlife / WLE
Conservation and governance
For many developing countries, natural resource management is still the single most important aspect of the lives, livelihoods, and survival of rural communities. Poor and marginalized people are usually directly dependent upon environmental services. Forests provide firewood, building materials, and a host of foods and medicines. Functional grasslands provide grazing for livestock. Streams and rivers … Continue reading
Animal Breeding / Asia / Biodiversity / India / Indigenous Breeds / Livestock / South Asia
Biocultural protocols: empowering stewards of livestock diversity
Herders of camels, cattle, sheep and goats, the Raika pastoralists of North West India have an interesting account of their origins: created by Lord Shiva from the skin and sweat of the camel, they were charged with controlling the beast, whose stubborn behaviour was becoming a nuisance. But Raika guardianship extends beyond their livestock. In … Continue reading
Rare breeds, frozen in time
It didn’t take long for Chip, a Tennessee fainting goat sporting a luxuriant Vandyke beard and an impressive pair of curlicue horns, to live up to his breed’s name. When Peter Borden, accompanied by a stranger, entered the immaculate stable that Chip calls home, the goat pressed his velvety nose through the bars of his … Continue reading
Africa / Biodiversity / East Africa / Ethiopia / GIS / Knowledge and Information / Livestock / Pastoralism
Pastoralists use maps and satellite images to depict land use in Ethiopia
A team of researchers combine maps, satellite images and participatory mapping techniques to develop an accurate picture of land use among pastoralists in southern Ethiopia. Read more … (ICT Update) Continue reading
Africa / Biodiversity / GIS / Knowledge and Information / Livestock / Pastoralism / Southern Africa / Tanzania / Wildlife
GIS helps preserve livelihoods and conserve wildlife in Tanzania
Faced with difficult choices, a Maasai community in Tanzania was able to get an accurate picture of their land resources with the help of conservationists and GPS receivers. Read more … (ICT Update) Continue reading
Global crop diversity trust
Cary Fowler, in the latest issue of the Enews from the Global Crop Diversity Trust, argues that previously hidden national vulnerabilities were exposed in the 2007-8 global food price crisis. He says that crisis revealed weaknesses in national security, weaknesses that many capital-rich but land-poor countries are addressing by buying up farmland in developing countries … Continue reading
Deforestation ‘faster in Africa’
Africa’s forests are disappearing faster than those in other parts of the world because of a lack of land ownership, a report says. Less than 2% of Africa’s forests are under community control, compared to a third in Latin America and Asia, say the Rights and Resources Initiative. The deforestation rate in Africa is four … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 