THE MEDUSA INFORMATION SYSTEM: A TOOL FOR THE IDENTIFICATION, CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF MEDITERRANEAN PLANT DIVERSITY

The MEDUSA Network (Identification, Conservation and Use of Wild Plants in the Mediterranean Region) is concerned with gathering information on all the native plants of the Mediterranean region that are useful to man. The objectives of the Network are (a) the identification of native and naturalised plants of the Mediterranean Region, according to their uses (b) the creation of a Regional Information System that with information on plant nomenclature, chemistry, habitat description, uses, conservation, including references to literature sources and (c) the evaluation of the conservation status and of the potential utilisation in agriculture of these plants as alternative minor crops. The eventual aim of the Network is to propose methods for the economic and social development of rural areas of the Mediterranean Region, using ecologicallybased management systems that will ensure the sustainable use and conservation of plant resources of the area. These plant genetic resources are of actual or potential importance to agriculture, various industries and human health, and consequently will improve the quality of life. The particular goal of the Network is the exploration of possibilities for the sustainable utilisation of such resources as alternative crops for the diversification of agricultural production for improved product quality. Furthermore, the information collected in the MEDUSA database will provide the basis for projects aimed at protecting the valuable cultural heritage represented by these plants and ensuring their survival via ‘conservation through use.’ INRODUCTION Wild plants have always been significant in all cultures of the Mediterranean region, being used for food, medicines, fuel and many other purposes. The great interest in the use of wild plants has been based on the assumption that plant resources will be available on a continuing basis. However, no concerted effort has been made to ensure this in the face of the threats posed by overexploitation caused by increasing demand, increasing human population and extensive destruction of the plant-rich habitats of the Mediterranean ecosystems. The Mediterranean basin contains approximately 25 000 species, about half of which are endemic to the region (Quezel, 1985; Greuter, 1991; Heywood 1995), and is one of the world’s major centres of plant diversity (Davis et al., 1994), as well as being one of the centres of diversity for crop plants. Many crop relatives occur in the Mediterranean basin (Harlan, 1995; Heywood and Zohary, 1995; Zohary and Hopf, 1993). THE MEDUSA NETWORK A network on the 'Identification, Conservation and Use of Wild Plants in the Mediterranean Region' called MEDUSA, was formally established in 1996. The MEDUSA Network deals with gathering information on all the native plants of the Mediterranean region that are useful to man including details of their conservation status, geography, habitat and especially documenting knowledge concerning their uses. Proc. IS on Sust. Use Of Plant Biodiv. Eds. E. Duzyaman Y Editing data; and Searching the database.