1. Multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the conservation value of breeds
Juha Kantanen
NordGen

3. Distinct values of breeds
Value category
Values, functions
Description
Ecological
Genetic diversity
Adaptation to local ecosystem
Material for breeding
Preservation of genetically unique breeds
Economic
Products
Services
Milk, meat, hide, manure, transport
Material for breeding and crossbreeding

4. Value category Values, functions Description Social Social security
Social inclusion
Social interaction
Gender relations
Savings, education
Working possibilities, jobs
Co-operation in animal keeping, exchange of food and services
Production and reproduction of work share
Political
Regional policy
Asset for strategic negotation
Keeping the northern villages settled

5. Value category Values, functions Description Cultural Identity
Sense of place
Scientific
Educational
Ethnic identity
Regional identity
Research on the genetic diversity and origins
Transferring the cultural values/capital
Ethical
Moral responsibility
Preservation of the breed for the future generations, learning the feeling of responsibility

6. How to measure different values and rank the breeds?
Sustainable Livelihoods approach:
A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stress and shocks, maintain or erhance its capabilities and assets and provide sustainable opportunities for the next generation.
Financial, social, cultural and ecological dimensions
Genetic analysis:
To estimate with DNA analysis the value in the biodiversity conservation

7. Genetic value of a breed as examined by DNA-analysis
A peculiar domestication history
Backcrossing of a domesticated population with the ancestral wild species
Breed-specific mutations, alleles, exceptional gene combinations ja haplotypes
Importance for genetic diversity of species

8. A peculiar domestication history
Revealing the History of Sheep Domestication Using Retrovirus Integrations (Chessa et al Science 324, 5926: )
Endogenous retroviruses = retroviruses derived from ancient viral infections of germ cells, passed on to the next generation and remain in the genome.

9. Diversity Hot Spot in domestic sheep
Tapio M. et al. Unpublished results

10. To measure genetic diversity using kinship coefficients estimated from DNA marker data
FAO recommendation list of microsateliite markers
GD = λGDw + GDb
GD = total genetic diversity
GDW = within-population diversity averaged across n populations
λ = the weight given to GDW
GDb= between-population diversity

11. Eurasian sheep breeds by Tapio M et al. unpublished results

12. Conclusions Thank You! A breed valuation is a complex issue
Adaptation to local conditions
Epigenetical factors
Thank You!