Why in the news?
Several important crops such as maize, beans, squash, chilli peppers and vanilla originated in the historical region of Mesoamerica, is witnessing a decline in their wild relatives, according to a study published recently.
Some 224 plants closely related to maize, potato, beans, squash, chilli pepper, vanilla, avocado, husk tomato and cotton were analysed by the researchers who conducted the study.
The study found that 35 per cent of these wild species were threatened with extinction, according to a press statement by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
What is Mesoamerica ?
The historic region of Mesoamerica comprises the modern day countries of northern Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, and central to southern Mexico. For thousands of years, this area was populated by groups such as the Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, Toltec, and Aztec peoples.
(Source: DTE and NGC)
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