1. There is a strong need to revive the network on "Multi-purpose species" which has not been very active in recent years. This lack of activity was due to the inability of members of the network to reach an agreement on which species research should focus on. In order to resolve this situation a meeting was held, thanks to the support of FAO Headquarters and the FAO Regional Office for the Near East. The activities of this network are indeed very relevant to Mediterranean forestry development, and in particular in relation to combating desertification. Countries of the region are being mobilised to implement the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

2. In order to review activities, find solutions to the problems met and devise ways and means to boost activities for the future, an informal meeting of the research network coordinators is usually organised every second year between the normal sessions of the Committee. The secretariat took the opportunity of such an event to organise a special informal meeting of the network coordinators (the current coordinator and his predecesor) and of the focal points of the research network on"Selection of multi-purpose species for arid and semi-arid zones" With a view to reactivating this network, of particular importance for Near East countries, the meeting was held in Cairo (Egypt) on 25 and 26 November 1996. This note summarises the discussions, conclusions and recommendations of that meeting.

3. According to the report of Mr Zaafouri (current coordinator of the network) and Mr Akrimi (former coordinator), very few activities had been implemented since the previous session of Silva Mediterranea (Larnaca, Cyprus, 1994). The first point of the programme presented in Larnaca had already been achieved at that time: the inventory of the most interesting native and exotic multiple-use tree species for each country following its own specific criteria. A report with information on 15 member countries had been prepared and sent to the focal points. Mr Akrimi explained that the difficulties met by the network in implementing its programme were in particular caused by a great number of species referred to by countries as priority species, the lack of meetings between focal points and the too-large domain of the network (a given focal point cannot be a specialist for all the species and topics of the network).

4. The problem of quick turn-over of focal points was stressed. In order to main continuity, the Scientific Adviser for Silva Mediterranea suggested that all interesting documents of the network be handed over when a coordinator or focal point is replaced, and that they be copied to FAO for record keeping.

5. Mr Akrimi finally proposed a new organisation of the network by splitting it into several country groups concerned with similar problems. He also suggested that the network activities be focused on information exchanges (through country visits, mail, meetings...) and on some concrete actions (research and exchange of genetic material).

6. Bulgaria responded in time to the different questionnaires sent by the coordinator, suggesting that some more species be eventually included. Bulgaria would like to work in priority with the following species: walnut, chestnut, almond, cedar, cork oak, sessile oak and pedonculate oak.

7. In order to strengthen the network activities, Bulgaria proposed that information and genetic material exchanges be organised between member countries (by sub-regions) and that funds be sought to organise workshops and implement some small research projects supported by FAO and interested countries. The organisation of a multi-purpose species data-bank would also be welcomed.

8. The Bulgarian Forestry Committee of the Ministry Council, with the cooperation of FAO, could implement a project about genetic selection and improvement of walnut.

9. Egypt’s report emphasised the importance of some multi-purpose species used in Egypt: i) Acacia saligna, for sand-dune fixation, fodder and atmospheric nitrogen fixation ; ii) Eucalyptus camaldulensis, for windbreaks, biological drainage, bee-keeping and as timber tree for industrial raw material and furniture ; Melia azedarach ; Azadirachta indica, as insect repellent, for medicinal purposes and for termite resistant furniture ; iii) Morus alba and Morus japonica, for sericulture, fruits production and its wood used in industry (very rot resistant).

10. France’s report presented the priority multi-purpose tree species which are studied in France. Fodder species included: i) fruit fodder species (Quercus ilex, Quercus suber, Gleditsia triacanthos) for which ongoing research concerns description of fruit genetic variability, clones selection and, in the future, controlled crossing; ii) leave fodder species (Amorpha fruticosa, Robinia pseudoacacia, Medicago arborea, Morus alba and Morus nigra - but Morus sp are also used for their fruit). Some other species are interesting for human consumption, such as Pinus pinea (for its seeds but also for mushrooms from its micorhizae), and Sorbus domestica (for its fruits used in drinks). Argania spinosa is also of interest.

11. France also called for the strengthening of the network activities, promoting sponsors’ interest in multi-purpose tree species (in particular by elaborating an international programme), finding new and original interesting topics that have clear and smaller objectives.

12. Greece’s report provided a list of the multi-purpose tree species and their use in Greece. Some traditional multi-purpose tree species are now less interesting, because of the industrialisation of the country: these are species used for fuelwood, charcoal, fodder, beverages and fruits. On the contrary, other species are still very interesting because of a growing market - ornamental trees, Christmas trees, pharmaceutical plants, wild fruits. The focal point for Greece, therefore, emphasised that priority should be given to the species with a commercial interest. The other species of less commercial value, but with environmental importance (soil stabilisation or improvement, drought resistance, landscape embellishment...), being supported by public interest, should not be abandoned.

13. Greece also mentioned that the research network should help each country to define its first priority species and identify other countries interested in this species in order to facilitate cooperation and establish a cooperative research project among interested countries.

14. Iraq’s report explained the various kinds of forest in that country: natural forests (with Quercus aegilops, Quercus infectoria and Quercus libani), the so-called "ahrash" forests (with Salix acomphila, Populus euphratica, Tamarix pentandra and Tamarix articulata) and artificial forests (plantations of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Casuarina equisetifolia, Pinus halepensis, Populus nigra, Populus alba, Platanus sp, Acacia cyanophylla, Cupressus sp, mainly for wood production, soil conservation, sand stabilisation, windbreaks, water resource regulation, landscape embellishment...).

15. Israel’s report presented views on multi-purpose tree species and the research works undertaken. Pinus halepensis and P. brutia populations are investigated regarding genetic distribution. Main species under consideration are carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) for fodder, eucalyptus for honey production and many other shade tree species for the protection of grazing lands.

16. Italy’s report stressed its special attention to multi-purpose tree species used for fodder and medicinal products. Until now, Italy has not cooperated much with the network, but envisages further involvment and full cooperation in future activities of the network.

17. Malta’s report emphasised the very important role of multi-purpose species in Mediterranean forest protection and conservation. Some lesser-known or under-used species, such as shrubs, annuals and pluri-annual plants, should not be neglected. Special attention has been given in Malta to degraded coastal cliffs and foreshores which need to be rehabilitated. Malta is particularly interested in this topic.

18. Malta proposes that Silva Mediterranea periodically produce an annotated bibliography of research done on this topic as well as on various forestry topics in Mediterranean forestry.

19. Morocco’s report presented a list of important multi-purpose tree species for that country - Quercus suber, Argania spinosa, Acacia raddiana, Casuarina glauca, Casuarina cunninghamiana, Casuarina equisetifolia, Pinus pinea and Ceratonia siliqua. In Morocco, studies related to this network’s activities are: i) planting of high quality trees; ii) genetic improvement of Quercus suber and Pinus pinea; iii) studies on nitrogen fixation (in particular with Acacia and Casuarina).

20. In order to strengthen network activities, Morocco proposed that scientific meetings, the publication of a liaison bulletin and the creation of a databank on multi-purpose trees be organised. Moreover, to improve the use of the network results in countries, Morocco proposed that information, sensitization and extension meetings be organised, and that technical monographs or fact sheets be elaborated and distributed.

21. Portugal’s report indicated that the priority multi-purpose tree species for Portugal are walnut, chestnut, almond and olive tree in the north, and cork oak in the south. Sorbus domestica is also used for fruits and liquor, and several pine species for mushroom production. Pine micorhisation is currently studied not only for the improvement of wood production, but also for mushroom production. Mr Castro Rego proposed that monographs for some given species be produced.

22. Tunisia’s report highlighted the elaboration of a list of 20 multi-purpose tree and shrub species (Acacia saligna, Atriplex canescens, Atriplex glauca, Atriplex halimus, Atriplex nummularia, Ceratonia siliqua, Gleditsia triacanthos, Pistacia atlantica, Medicago arborea, Morus alba, Opuntia ficus-indica, Periploca laevigata, Prosopis juliflora, Calligonum azel, Calligonum arich, Rhus tripartitum, Tetraclinis articulata, Olea europea, Pinus halepensis and Quercus suber. For each species, a specific sheet has been produced with a general description and an inventory of the genetic resources. Also a databank is available.

23. For further network action, Tunisia suggested that exchanging information between the member countries, making an inventory of the genetic resources, creating a databank and elaborating a developing programme for each species or for regionally relevant groups of species be improved.

24. Turkey’s report explained that, in recent years, the use of multi-purpose tree species for horticulture, resin, fodder and honey production and soil conservation had been emphasised in Turkey, rather than wood production as was done formerly. Mr Topak also reported that the most important multi-purpose tree species used in Turkey are Pinus pinea, Robinia pseudoacacia (for soil conservation, fire resistance, honey production), Juglans (for its fruits and wood), Pistacia (for its nut and seedling production), Ceratonia siliqua, Eleagnus angustifolia (for soil conservation, fruits production and adaptation to arid regions) and Quercus sp (for soil conservation, fuelwood production and silvo-pastoral activities).

25. The Turkish Government supports reforestation of multi-purpose species, especially near villages. Turkey is also ready to exchange material with other member countries.

26. The need to move now into action has been stressed. A consensus was reached to limit the number of species studied to three - Gleditsia triacanthos, Acacia saligna and Ceratonia siliqua. For each species a short note will be prepared, including a state-of-the-art and a bibliography. Two participants volunteered to write the note: Mr Dupraz (France) for Gleditsia triacanthos and Mr Ksontini (Tunisia) for Acacia saligna. Turkey was much interested in Ceratonia siliqua and designated Mr Yaçin Yesilkaya to draft the note on that species. This work should be the first step before carrying out monographs on these three species. Some financial support will be provided from the FAO Regional Office for the Near-East for the exchange of material.