Conserving forest genetic resources

Conserving genetic resources of useful forest species

Description

Conserving forest genetic resources involves safeguarding the diversity of genes within and among forest species to ensure their adaptability, resilience, and long-term survival. Essential actions include identifying and protecting key populations, establishing gene banks, promoting sustainable forest management, and preventing genetic erosion caused by deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and overexploitation. This strategy directly addresses the loss of valuable genetic traits, supporting ecosystem stability, future breeding programs, and the continued provision of forest goods and services.

Context

Forested ecosystems, particularly tropical forests, contain some of the world's highest biodiversities and hence, genetic varieties. These are essential elements for the Earth's stability and vitality. Forested genetic conservation, whether in situ (preserving habitat) or ex situ (in genetic storage banks), is hence necessary.

Implementation

Founded in 1977, the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) became an international agricultural research centre organized under the auspices of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ICRAF intends to develop a Multipurpose Tree Germplasm Resource Centre to serve as the worldwide focal point for collection, storage and distribution of priority agroforestry tree species. ICRAF, FAO, IPGRI, and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and other partners are collaborating on a programme that focuses on in situ conservation of the genetic diversity of forest species of major importance, with ex situ conservation methods providing complementary and and additional security.