ABSTRACT
The world's biological diversity is dwindling as destruction of habitats, particularly tropical forests, continues at rapid rates. Genetic impoverishment through extinction of plants and animals is commonly thought of in association with crop species and endangered exotic bird or mammal species. Development strategies involving expansion into new and often agriculturally marginal lands contribute directly to the loss of genetic diversity. The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, an organization which supports international agricultural research centers, addressed the genetic diversity problem several years ago by forming the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources. Wild relatives of livestock have unique genetic characteristics not present in domestic strains, such as high fertility and milk production in sheep, high growth rates in goats, and high productivity in rabbits and other species. Conservation of wildlands in the design of development projects has yet to be made routine. Some tourism projects have achieved significant conservation gains, thereby preserving genetic resources.
