Focus on forest genetic diversity! Practical considerations for the production and use of forest reproductive materials
The EUFORGEN Programme is launching a new publication series on the production and use of forest reproductive materials (FRM). “Focus on forest genetic diversity” is an illustrated series comprising practical guidelines and recommendations to support forest owners & managers and nursery & seed orchard practitioners to go about their work in the best possible way for conserving forest genetic diversity. The series focuses on aspects of nursery and forest management where good practices can make a critical difference in making good use of the genetic diversity of FRM, from seed collection and storage, seed selection and provenance, to nursery management, planting, and management of forest stands.
The guidelines are beautifully presented in a convenient B5-sized booklet accompanied by an attractive wall poster featuring step by step instructions.
The first edition in the series is Theme 5: Seed harvesting, treatment, storage, and nursery practices – How management practices can affect or influence genetic diversity of forest reproductive materials. This comprises guidelines for the collection, treatment, and storage of seeds, as well as nursery production processes. Many factors can contribute to the loss of genetic diversity, such as the way seeds are collected and processed, as well as how seedlings are grown in nurseries. Indeed, most silvicultural, technical, and routine practices used when dealing with forest tree populations have the potential to reduce natural genetic variation. Theme 5: Seed harvesting, treatment, storage, and nursery practices identifies and explains key considerations for practitioners handling FRM, and details techniques and practices for preserving genetic diversity as far as possible.
The “Focus on forest genetic diversity” series is distilled from a major EUFORGEN scientific publication released in 2021, Genetic aspects linked to production and use of forest reproductive material: Collecting scientific evidence to support the development of guidelines and decision support tools. This report is the result of international collaboration, rooted in EUFORGEN, spanning more than two decades, and is built on the firm belief that the genetic element is decisive for the creation of a resilient forest capable of surviving threats and adapting to changes, thus enabling the evolution of ecosystems and the adaptive potential of the productive landscape.
Further themes in the “Focus on forest genetic diversity” series are currently under production and due to be released later in 2024.
Explore the Theme 5 materials!
