| Summary: | Modern crop varieties contain limited genetic diversity. Demand from an expanding human population requires crop yields to increase substantially, however, a low capacity for adaptation may leave crops susceptible to environmental change, threatening future food security. Crop wild relatives (CWR) are a valuable, but threatened, genetic resource containing more genetic diversity than their cultivated relatives that can be utilised by plant breeders to improve the resilience of new crop varieties. This thesis researches methodologies to facilitate systematic, active conservation of CWR and their genetic diversity within a national context using the UK and its devolved administrations as an exemplar. Methods involve the development of CWR inventori es, gap analyses, assessment of CWR habitat preferences , a case study seeking to justify the establishment of the first UK CWR genetic reserve on The Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall and finally, exploration of the use of next generation sequencing as a tool for targeting collection of accessions to fill genetic gaps in genebanks. A key success of this research was the involvement of stakeholders, bridging the gap between research and practice. The methods used can now be applied to other countries and can be integrated into European and global conservation planning, contributing to improved future food security.
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