Crop biocultural traits and diversity dynamics among Bassari farmers

Introduction: bridging crops social and biological dimensions through the notion of biocultural traits

Crop diversity is an important asset for adapting farming systems to global environmental changes. Growing a diverse portfolio of crops and varieties can stabilize food production and income, limit pests and disease outbreaks, and make households less vulnerable to environmental and market fluctuations (Bellon et al. 2020; Gaudin et al. 2015; Lin 2011; Renard and Tilman 2019). A diverse crop and varietal portfolio also provides the basis for a varied diet, with direct benefits for human health (Bezner et al. 2019; Jarvis et al. 2011).

Crops and varieties grown by farmers are not only the result of pragmatic and conscious decisions. Crop diversity results from the interplay between the biophysical evolution of the crop and farmers' cultural practices, social interactions, knowledge, and belief systems governing its Anna Porcuna-Ferrer