Pertaining to Animal Genetic Resources
1. CONSERVATION
The management of human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. Thus conservation is positive, embracing preservation, maintenance, sustainable utilization, restoration and enhancement of the natural environment.
(This definition of CONSERVATION originates with the World Conservation Strategy, which was prepared by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), and the following collaborative organizations: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)).
2. PRESERVATION
That aspect of CONSERVATION by which a sample of an animal genetic resource population is designated to an isolated process of maintenance, by providing an environment free of the human forces which might bring about genetic change. The process may be in situ, whereby the sample consists of live animals in a natural environment, or it may be ex situ, whereby the sample is placed, for example, in cryogenic storage.
3. CONSERVATION BY MANAGEMENT
That aspect of CONSERVATION by which a sample, or the whole of an animal population is subjected to planned genetic change with the aim of Sustaining, Utilizing, Restoring or Enhancing the quality and/or quantity of the animal genetic resource and its products of food, fibre or draught animal power.
4. THREATENED (Species or breed)
A term used to describe an animal genetic resource population which is subject to some force of change, affecting the likelihood of it continuing indefinitely, either to exist, or to retain sufficient numbers to preserve the genetic characteristics which distinguish it from other populations. THREATENED is a generic term embracing more precise descriptions such as Endangered, or Vulnerable.
(It is also so used in the context of the World Conservation Strategy).
5. GENE BANK
A physical repository, in one or more locations, where the samples of animal genetic resource populations which are being preserved, are kept. These may include animals, embryos, oocytes, sperm, DNA, etc.
6. DATA BANK
The fund of knowledge comprising the CHARACTERIZATIONS which describe the genetic attributes of animal breeds or species and the various environments in which they occur; these CHARACTERIZATIONS being stored both as numerics and words in a data/word processing system which provides for the addition of further information, for amendment and for analytical use.
7. CHARACTERIZATION
The numeric/word description of:
The CHARACTERIZATION is a succinct statement, being the distillation of all available knowledge both previously published or unpublished, which contributes to the reliable prediction of genetic performance in defined environments. It is different from the mere accumulation of existing reports or individual findings on genetic performance on specific occasions.
8. DESCRIPTORS (of species or environments)
A series of items with defined meanings for a species and its environments, which are universally used to prepare data bank CHARACTERIZATIONS of:
The purpose of DESCRIPTORS is to facilitate valid comparison, classification or enumeration of breeds within a species in the context of the environments existing in different countries and regions of the world.
