The State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources

by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Overview

The State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources addresses the conservation, management and sustainable use of forest tree and other woody plant genetic resources of actual and potential value for human well-being in the broad range of management systems. This report complements two other FAO flagship publications in the field of forestry, the annual State of the World’s Forests and the periodic Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA). State of the World’s Forests reports on the status of forests, recent major policy and institutional developments and key issues concerning the forest sector. FRA provides comprehensive data on forest distribution and status, including on matters influencing forest genetic resource (FGR) conservation and management, such as indicators of sustainable forest management, extent of permanent forest estate and protected areas, and regeneration methods used. However, forest cover and related data cannot be used as a surrogate for assessment of the status of FGR. This first edition of The State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources will help to differentiate between the state of the world’s forest resources and the state of the genetic resources on which they depend for their utility, adaptability and health.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940151873079
Publisher:	Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publication date:	04/15/2015
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

An intergovernmental organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has 194 Member Nations, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union. Its employees come from various cultural backgrounds and are experts in the multiple fields of activity FAO engages in. FAO’s staff capacity allows it to support improved governance inter alia, generate, develop and adapt existing tools and guidelines and provide targeted governance support as a resource to country and regional level FAO offices. Headquartered in Rome, Italy, FAO is present in over 130 countries.

Table of Contents

Foreword iii

Acknowledgements xiii

About this publication xv

Executive summary xxi

Part 1 Overview

Chapter 1 Basic Concepts 3

Definitions 4

Characteristics of forest genetic resources 8

Species diversity 11

Chapter 2 Value and Importance of Forest Genetic Resources 19

Economic value 20

Environmental value, ecosystem services and resilience 22

Social, cultural, medicinal and scientific value 24

Preserving options for future development and adaptation 25

Chapter 3 Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources 27

Management systems in the field (in situ and circa situm conservation) 28

Ex situ conservation 32

Targeted species-based approach 39

Chapter 4 Knowledge and Information on Forest Genetic Resources 41

What constitutes knowledge of forest genetic resources? 42

Availability of information on genetic resources 46

Part 2 Drivers of change and trends affecting forest genetic resources

Chapter 5 Drivers of Change 51

Forest conversion and expansion of crop land 51

Demand for energy 52

Unsustainable harvesting and use 53

Livestock and browse animals 54

Climate change 54

Changed fire regimes 58

Invasive species 59

Genetic pollution 62

Chapter 6 Global Forest Trends Affecting Forest Genetic Diversity 65

Forest trends 65

Consequences of forest changes for genetic diversity 70

Part 3 Current and emerging technologies

Chapter 7 Trait-Based Knowledge of Tree Genetic Resources 79

Indigenous and traditional knowledge 79

Classical tree improvement 83

Participatory tree domestication 89

Chapter 8 Modern Advances 91

Population genetics based on molecular markers 91

Genomic advances 94

Combining molecular tools with tree improvement: marker-assisted selection 96

Genetic modification 98

Chapter 9 Application of Genetic Knowledge in Forest Conservation 101

Combining spatial analysis with genetic markers to prioritize conservation 102

Research on climate change and forest genetic resources 103

Genetic technologies for reducing illegal logging 104

Part 4 State of forest genetic resources conservation and management

Chapter 10 How Countries Manage and Conserve their Forest Genetic Resources 111

Features of effective and comprehensive FGR conservation and management systems 112

Approaches to FGR conservation in relation to biodiversity conservation strategies 114

National strategies and programmes for FGR conservation and management 115

Prioritizing species for FGR conservation and management 116

Chapter 11 Characterization of Genetic Variability and Monitoring of Change 121

Characterizing interspecific variability 123

Characterizing intraspecific variation 124

Monitoring of forest genetic resources 131

Differences among countries and regions in characterization of FGR 133

Chapter 12 In Situ FGR Conservation and Management 135

Protected areas 138

In situ conservation outside protected areas 140

Formal in situ FGR conservation programmes 142

Forest restoration and FGR 150

Opportunities from climate change initiatives: restoration and connectivity for in situ FGR 151

In situ conservation through sustainable forest management 152

Chapter 13 Ex Situ Conservation 163

Ex situ conservation activities by region 164

Chapter 14 Genetic Improvement and Breeding Programmes 173

Improvement approaches 174

Administration and coordination of breeding and improvement programmes 175

Prioritizing uses, traits and species for improvement 177

The state of tree improvement and species priorities by region 179

International collaboration and donor programmes for tree improvement 187

A cautionary note: potential threats to FGR from breeding and improvement programmes 187

Chapter 15 Germplasm Delivery and Deployment 189

Uses of germplasm and plant materials 189

Demand for germplasm and planting materials 190

Actors involved in production, distribution and deployment 191

Production of germplasm and planting materials 195

Movement and transfer of genetic material 199

Information management in delivery and deployment of germplasm 204

International assistance 205

Chapter 16 Institutional Framework for Conservation and Management of Forest Genetic Resources 207

National institutions dealing with forest genetic resources 207

Legal and policy framework 208

Education and training 208

Research 208

Raising public awareness and communication 208

Support to forest genetic resources 209

International and regional collaboration 209

Part 5 Needs, challenges and required responses for the future

Chapter 17 Practices and Technologies for Improved Management of Forest Genetic Resources 215

Monitoring 215

In situ conservation 218

Ex situ conservation 222

Domestication, breeding and improvement 222

Germplasm delivery and deployment 223

Assisted migration to accelerate adaptation to climate change 225

Chapter 18 Political and Institutional Recommendations 227

National polices and institutions 227

Capacity building 230

Improving information availability and access 230

Priority areas for research 232

Communication and awareness raising 234

In conclusion: what needs to be done 235

References 237

Acronyms and abbreviations 275