Network CWR Hotspots In situ conservation of CWR

Crop wild relatives (CWR) account for almost 70% of native flora, but are mostly not target species for nature conservation. Nevertheless, as part of biological diversity, they must be protected under the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatschG) and the Convention on Biological Diversity. With around 2,500 CWR species in Germany, it is necessary to prioritise conservation and promotion measures. For this reason, a list of priority CWR species in Germany has been compiled.

The model and demonstration project (MuD) ‘In situ conservation of wild plants for food and agriculture using umbrella species’, funded by the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, aims to conserve a large number of priority CWR species with as few resources as possible. To this end, the umbrella species concept is used, which simplifies the representation of biological diversity and is based on the assumption that the conservation of one umbrella species also benefits other species at the site. In the MuD, CWR umbrella species and candidates for genetic reserves are identified nationwide and the establishment of these areas is implemented.
 

Establishment of the coordination unit and establishment of Genetic Reserves

The first genetic reserve (GenEG) for a CWR Hotspot was established in May 2025. The coordination unit at the Julius Kühn Institute has been coordinating the CWR Hotspots network since 2024 and works together with local stakeholders. In November 2025 another six Genetic Reserves for CWR Hotspots have been established.