conservation of plant genetic resources.

JAL402 CONSERVATION OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES (81041, 5 credits)

01.04.-06.05.2016, Viikki C130, Latokartanonkaari 5

Responsible teacher: Helena Korpelainen [email protected], tel. 029-4158383, Building C, Latokartanonkaari 5, room C205

Evaluation: Study diary 70%, presentation 30%.

Course material will be placed in Internet on the Moodle Platform (http://moodle.helsinki.fi (self- registration, enrolment key ‘genres’).

Fri 01.04. 10.15-14 Introduction The nature and importance of taxonomic and genetic diversity; background theory (HK)

Fri 08.04. 10.15-14 Conservation and utilization of genetic resources: policy, legislation, treaties, international organizations and activities, practical examples (Mohan Jain)

Fri 15.04. 10.15-14 Genetic erosion and conservation of genetic diversity (Mohan Jain)

Fri 22.04. 10.15-14 Challenges in research and conservation of tropical plants: Symphonia as an example (Sanna Olsson)

Discussion and questions of the class, study diary etc., preparation of presentations (HK)

Fri 29.04. 10.15-14 Students’ presentations (HK)

Fri 06.05. 10.15-14 Students’ presentations (HK)

Study Diary Each student will write a study diary based on four lectures (01.04.-22.04) and given articles that will be available during the course. The diary should be handed in to Helena Korpelainen by Friday 13.05.2016, preferably by e-mail. If you cannot be present in some lecture, please prepare that part of the study diary based on materials given in Moodle (participation in all lectures is highly recommended).

Presentations Each student will join a group and prepare and give a presentation together with other group members. The subjects concern practical approaches to the conservation of plant genetic resources. The topics will be discussed/given during the lecture on 01.04.2016. Students’ suggestions for the topic of the own presentation are very welcome!

Instructions for Study Diary (individual work) The study diary is meant to monitor the student’s learning process during the course. The diary should not be a mere summary of a session or research paper but should reflect your thoughts. 1) You should write 2-3 pages of study diary after each session, covering what you saw as the main points in the teacher’s presentation and in possible other material indicated in the class, as well as your own comments and further thoughts on the topics that were covered. 2) Additionally, you should write 1-2 pages of each of the four research papers listed as compulsory reading, including your own comments and views. 3) Finally, write about 1-2 pages general comments of the course and your learning.

Suggestions: It is best to write your study diary soon after each session before forgetting too much. By the end of the course, it is useful to revise what you have written and thus bring it all back to mind. The diary must not consist of extracts from the material which has been made available during lectures or from other sources, e.g. the Internet. Such material may only be briefly quoted as a part of an argument.

Instructions for Presentations (group work) Choose a crop or crop wild relative or tree (one taxon or a group of related taxa) with enough available information; not necessarily “a major crop”. It is fine to choose a plant(s) which has clear conservation needs but limited conservation actions.

Search for source material: ejournals and articles are available, e.g., in the library system (http://www.nelliportaali.fi), Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.fi/) and on websites of different organizations (e.g., http://www.bioversityinternational.org). Use several sources.

Review the following aspects concerning your target plant(s) and include own views as well: -The socio-economic importance/potential (also the importance for the ecosystem if relevant) -Conservation needs -Present national/international actions for the conservation of genetic resources

Write one-page abstract, in which you explain with your own words the essential points of your presentation. It must be in prose form – a list of main points is not enough. Send it to Helena by email at least one day before the date of your presentation. Abstracts will be copied to everybody.

Give your presentation, about 15-20 minutes. For that, you can use a computer (bring the file on a memory stick or send it to Helena in advance). In your presentation, indicate the sources used.

Compulsory reading (available in Moodle, to be covered in Study Diary)

Alfaro RI et al. 2014. The role of forest genetic resources in responding to biotic and abiotic factors in the context of anthropogenic climate change. Forest Ecology and Management 333:76-87.

Castañeda-Álvarez NP et al. 2016. Global conservation priorities for crop wild relatives. Nature Plants 16022 (2016).

Odong TL et al. 2013. Quality of core collections for effective utilisation of genetic resources review, discussion and interpretation. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 126:289-305.

Riaz A et al. 2016. Into the vault of the Vavilov wheats: old diversity for new alleles. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution doi:10.1007/s10722-016-0380-5.