Portugal

Activities on genetic conservation of forest trees in Portugal started in 1991  after  Portugal had signed Resolution 2 of the Strasbourg Ministerial Conference held in 1990.

Portugal has not yet established a national programme for the conservation of forest genetic resources but various efforts in this regard have been carried out. 

• Cork oak (Quercus suber), representing widely distributed tree species, was the first species for which  gene conservation efforts were started. Eleven stands, mainly in situ populations, were proposed as gene reserve forests in 1994.
  
  
• Recommendations  for gene conservation of  threatened tree species,  such as poplars (Populus nigra and P. alba) junipers (Juniperus spp.), yew (Taxus baccata) and elms (Ulmus spp.) have been issued for some municipalities, natural parks and state-owned forests that host the species. In suitable areas where the species  occurred in the past, their reintroduction  is encouraged using appropriate genetic material.
  
  
• Conservation of forest genetic resources is part of the curriculum of the forestry courses at universities and colleges.