Sampling Campaign

Context 

The project COUSIN identified gaps in the sampling of critical Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) for five flagship crop groups: wheat, barley, brassica, lettuce and peas. A detailed analysis identified the priority at the regional scale (50x50km squares) where sampling is needed. Moreover, an optimal network of 30 collection sites has been proposed. The COUSIN WP2 team opens a participatory call for experts to collect seed samples from CWR populations within these priority areas.

Map of Priority squares

This map highlights the priority areas for seed collection to complement existing ex situ collections of CWR for wheat, barley, lettuce, brassica, and peas.

  • Red squares represent a theoretical optimal network of 30 sites that provide the highest overall complementarity to current collections.
  • Blue squares indicate the highest-priority sites within each ecoregion that are not already included in this complementary network.

For each grid cell, the following information is provided:

  • The corresponding ecoregion
  • The number of CWR (of the five flagship crops) present
  • A list of those species, ranked by their priority score (give in brackets)

Objectives

Each mission should:

  • Target at least one priority square.
  • Maximize the diversity of taxa sampled per square
  • Collect seeds following the ENSCONET standard  protocol, ensuring quality and traceability.
  • Store collected CWR taxa in the relevant national genebanks.

Award

  • Up to 30 missions will be supported.
  • Each mission is eligible for reimbursement of up to 1000€, covering travel, field expenses, and shipping cost.
  • Payment will be made upon confirmation of successful collection (see below).

Eligibility and Selection

  • Missions will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, provided:
    • The applicant demonstrates sufficient botanical expertise (CV, list of collections, publications or institutional affiliation).
    • A formal link with the relevant national genebank is confirmed.
  • To ensure geographic and taxonomic coverage, the COUSIN team may adjust selections to avoid overlap between missions.

Processing

  1. Before the mission
    • Contact the COUSIN ex situ focal point and indicate which priority square(s) you aim to target and which taxa you aim to collect.
    • Upon request, the COUSIN team can provide the coordinates publicly available of the populations. Note that this information might be imprecise and erroneous, so as we encourage to contact local expert to get precise information about the species distribution.
    • Contact the relevant national genebank or local experts, inform them about this initiative, and verify their requirements for accepting a seed accession for ex situ conservation.
    • Request the necessary authorizations for collecting the seeds from the competent public administration.
  2. During the mission
    • INDICATIVE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT: We expect the collector to harvest as many taxa as possible, but within reason, four priority taxa per square/mission.
    • Collect seeds according to the ENSCONET protocol.
    • Gather the information needed for the passport (collecting) data form and the COUSIN data spreadsheet.
    • Take pictures of the collecting site and plants
    • Prepare a voucher herbarium specimen for each population, following national standards.
  3. After the mission
    • Send the seed samples to the relevant national genebank along with the passport data form.
    • Send herbarium specimens to the designated institution.
    • Submit the completed COUSIN collection spreadsheet and pictures.
    • Provide proof of delivery/receipt from the genebank.
  4. Financial processing
    • After submitting the above documentation, the expert may issue an invoice (maximum 1,000 € per mission).
    • Invoices will be processed by the University of Lausanne.

Timeline

  • Opening date: 01/10/25
  • Closing date: until all missions are assigned

FAQ

  • Can I cover several priority squares?

Yes, provided it is justified and coordinated with the COUSIN team. We aim to cover the most significant diversity of CWR in Europe.

  • What if a CWR population is not precisely located within the square?

The priority squares are only diagnostic tools. If a population is found in the vicinity and is relevant for the target taxa, it may still be collected, provided the location is documented.

  • Does COUSIN collect samples directly?

No, due to the complex and fragmented legal framework in Europe, COUSIN does not collect samples directly. Each collector is responsible for ensuring that samples are deposited in their national genebank.

  • What about legal compliance?

Collectors are fully responsible for complying with all relevant national regulations (including ABS/Nagoya Protocol requirements) governing access to genetic resources and seed collection. The COUSIN team does not take any responsibility.

  • Do I need a Genesys accession number before reimbursement?

No. Obtaining an accession number may take several months. A receipt from the national gene bank is sufficient.

  • Can I use another collecting spreadsheet?

No. All data must be submitted using the COUSIN collection spreadsheet, which follows the FAO descriptors for CWR.

Contact

For any questions, please email us: Dr. Sylvain Aubry, Dr. Blaise Petitpierre, Ecospat – Spatial Ecology Group UNIL & FOAG