DIGITAL ARCHIPELAGO

‘Genetic erosion in the Andine region and conservation strategies: analysis of the model genus Lycopersicon’

Ecology and Conservation Biology

Environment

2004

A large part of the plant diversity of South America is suffering grave genetic erosion due, among other causes, to the high rate of deforestation and the overexploitation of natural areas. This problem is especially acute in Andine countries like Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.

DIRECTOR

Fernando Nuez Viñals

RESEARCH TEAM

Ángel Rafael Morales Astudillo, Fernando Nuez Viñals, Francisco Javier León Vega, Jaime Prohens Tomás, José Miguel Blanca Postigo, José Vicente Valcárcel Germes, María José Díez Niclós, William Genaro Blas Cerdán, Zhofre Huberto Aguirre Mendoza.

COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS

Universidad Politécnica de Valencia

DESCRIPTION

The aim of the project is to conduct a detailed study of the Lycopersicon genus (wild tomato), to which 9 of the region?s native species belong, as an indicative model for the genetic erosion and conservation status of natural Andine populations. The results will be extrapolatable to other taxonomic groups in the region, especially those of the Solanaceae family.