Conservation of forest trees
and establishment of a core network of dynamic conservation units
The diversity of forests, at the level of species and at the level of genetic diversity within species, is an important resource for Europe. Over the past several decades European countries have made considerable efforts to conserve the genetic diversity of tree species. According to the EUFGIS portal, there are more than 3200 genetic conservation units which harbour more than 4000 populations of about 100 tree species. An earlier analysis of the EUFGIS information revealed significant gaps in the conservation efforts in terms of the species covered and the geographical distribution of the units within the species’ ranges.
In view of this analysis, the EUFORGEN Steering Committee established a working group to develop the pan-European genetic conservation strategy for forest trees.
For each tree species considered, the strategy calls for a core network of dynamic conservation units. These units are not interconnected by geneflow, but together capture the current genetic diversity across the European continent. In addition, the working group recommended that:
- countries upload all outstanding data to the EUFGIS database;
- progress be monitored;
- resources be allocated to the EUFGIS database;
- a strategy to mitigate the negative effects of climate change on forest genetic resources be developed;
- EUFORGEN continues operating through working groups.
 | Pan-European strategy for genetic conservation of forest trees and establishment of a core network of dynamic conservation unitsThe diversity of forests, at the level of species and at the level of genetic diversity within… |
Download |
