Application of Geographical Information System for PGR Management

Abstract

Geographical information system (GIS) tools have enormous applications in management of plant genetic reources
(PGR). GIS in conjunction with passport/herbarium/gene bank databases serves in geo-referencing, diversity
distribution mspping and and predicting suitable sites for future collection of crop species and threatened taxa.
They have been used in ecogeographic surveys for locating diversity, planning fi eld exploration and collecting
of PGR. They are also useful for identifi cation of PGR conservation areas and individual species, species-rich
areas and vegetation types that are not represented or under represented under conservation programs. In terms
of biosecurity, GIS applications can be eff ectively used in locating hotspots, spread of pests and pathogens,
develop early warning systems, build risk assessment models, assist in site specifi c protection measures etc. These
technologies and applications developed in response to a wide range of needs are nowadays an indispensable
tool in the management of PGR.