Local animal genetic resources for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and rural bioeconomies in Ibero-America: A scoping review

Abstract

Local animal genetic resources are a strategic component of agrobiodiversity and represent key assets for food security and sustainable development. The aim was to analyze the available evidence on the role of local animal genetic resources in biodiversity conservation, productive resilience, food security, and sustainable rural development in Ibero-America. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The literature and institutional documents published from January 2001 to June 2026 were searched in the Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, CAB Abstracts, PubMed, SciELO, Redalyc, AGRIS/FAO, and relevant institutional repositories. The final search was completed on 15 June 2026. Eligibility was defined using the Population-Concept-Context framework, and evidence was synthesized thematically and comparatively. The scientific literature published was considered, with emphasis on local breeds, in situ and ex situ conservation, gene banks, phenotypic and genomic characterization, bioeconomy, public policies and rural production. The search identified 187 records. After removal of one duplicate, 186 records were screened by title and abstract, of which 77 were excluded. A total of 109 full-text reports were assessed and included in the scoping review. An additional 43 contextual or supporting references were cited outside the screened evidence set. Evidence indicates that creole and local breeds provide adaptive traits, heat tolerance, disease resistance or tolerance, cultural value and productive resilience. However, conservation initiatives remain fragmented and face limitations related to census data, funding, governance, genetic monitoring, traceability and economic valorization. Regional evidence indicates relevant progress in genetic characterization, germplasm banks, and research programs. The review concludes that animal genetic resources conservation will only be sustainable if it integrates living populations, representative germplasm banks, reproductive biotechnologies, genomic information, public policies, economic incentives, differentiated markets, and active producer participation. Local animal genetic resources must be considered as biological infrastructure for climate adaptation, food security, and inclusive rural bioeconomies.