Article

Since genetic and other kinds of diversity are not cvenly distributed within taxa, ecogeographical surveys need to be undertaken so as 1o ensure representative sampling for germplasm collections. Such surveys permit a synthesis of of the available information on the distribution and variation within a species or related group of species. The various types of information that can be of use in an ecogeographical survey are described, as well as the ways this information can be used in developing effective strategies for the conservation and ‘management of the wild genepools of the cultivated plants of Europe.