ASSESSING THE REGIONAL CONSERVATION STATUS OF PLANT DIVERSITY: RESULTS FROM DIGIVALPGR PROJECT

Digitalization and valorization of local plant genetic resources are part from innovative approaches, significantly contributing to sustainable preservation and use of biodiversity. Combining ex situ/in situ/on farm conservation methods genebanks are answering the crop breeding and farmers needs in the dynamic climatic, economic and social factors. Reintroduction of old and traditional varieties, deeply connected to the agroecological conditions of the place of origin, are one of the best approaches for creation of add value to the local production and agrotourism. This opportunity is increasing the resilience of rural communities and regional development. DIGIVALPGR project is focused on exploration of regions for their conservation status of plant diversity. During the period 2024-2026 several expeditions were conducted and 49 local accessions and collected. Regions of Svoge, Mezdra, Vratsa, Pazardzhik, Smolyan, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad and Yambol were investigated, arround 20 localities are described and a lot of local farmers were interviewed. The passport data is following the FAO/Bioversity descriptors. For mapping the genetic diversity hotspots and conservation-priority areas GIS (Geographic Information Systems) – Based Approach was used. The use of smart technologies in support of the cause of public responsibility for the preservation of plant biodiversity attracts not only specialists but also wide number of people with ecological civic position. A convenient mobile application for open access to the genebank documentation system has been created. This research work was carried out under the SVK-BGR cooperation project DIGIVALPGR “Digitalization and valorization of local plant genetic resources in Bulgaria and Slovakia in the framework of maintaining compatibility and interoperability in the European area” with the financial support of Bulgarian National Science Fund of the Ministry of Education and Science, Contract number КP-06-Slovakia/9/13.08.2024.