IUCN Red List: Wild crops listed as threatened
Source: BBC
IUCN Red List: Wild crops listed as threatened
By Helen Briggs
BBC News
5 December 2017
Wild relatives of modern crops deemed crucial for food security are being pushed to the brink of extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
More than 20 rice, wheat and yam plants have been listed as threatened on the latest version of the IUCN's Red list.
The wild plants are being squeezed out by intensive farming, deforestation and urban sprawl, say scientists.
Modern crops can be crossbred with their wild cousins to safeguard foods.
''To lose them would be a disaster,'' said Dr Nigel Maxted of the University of Birmingham, who is co-chair of the IUCN's specialist group on crop wild relatives.
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Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42204575