ABSTRACT
With its variation in landscapes, crops and human cultures, Ecuador is an important repository of agrobiodiversity. The richness of its biodiversity and its native plant genetic resources (PGR) represent fundamental elements of the Ecuador cultural heritage. Generations of Ecuadorian farmers have contributed to their creation. Unfortunately, however, socio-economic and environmental changes over recent years have caused the erosion of agrobiodiversity, associated knowledge and customs. Nevertheless, indigenous and local farmers still maintain their agrobiodiversity and associated ancestral knowledge concerning the use-values of the varieties, their customs and agricultural management practices, thereby contributing to the conservation strategy of in situ on-farm conservation of these PGR.
