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Biodiversity
The Earth is made up of a variety of life forms that interact, thus giving biodiversity. The very existence of life on our planet is based on this plurality: every mineral, vegetable or animal has a fundamental role in the life of other species as a source of energy and nutrition. Through natural selection - a concept developed by Darwin - genetic variation is produced, which is the source of biological diversity: changes in chemical structure between different spieces (macro-evolution) and variations within the same species (micro-evolution).
It is thanks to biological diversity that we can cultivate potatoes in Holland below sea level, in the Himalayas, or in harsh continental climates, such as in tropical countries. Biological diversity, the result of thousands, if not millions of years of evolution, could be destroyed in a relatively short time because of human acitivities. Protecting biodiversity is aimed at safeguarding and drawing maximum benefit from as much of the Earth's diversity as possible. Seed banks, like the CIP, not only conserve the genetic heritage of spieces, but also safeguard the knowledge pertaining to seeds, so as not to reduce them to mere genetic resources without history.
(09/06/2006)
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