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Forests as habitats of biological diversity and conservation of forest genetic resources

Introduction

Consideration for the genetic resources contained in forest ecosystems, be they natural forests managed for their conservation and/or productive values or man-made forests created through afforestation or reforestation to meet specified needs, is a central issue which relates closely to a number of the components of the UNCED Agenda 21: Forests proposal, found in document A/CONF.1/PC/100/Add. 16, and particularly (although not exclusively) to the research component of the programme area "Securing the Multiple Roles of Forests and Forest Lands" and to the whole of the programme area, "Protecting Forests, Promoting Afforestation and Reforestation".

Forests, the biological diversity they contain and the ecological functions they help maintain, are a heritage of mankind. Forests and woodlands contain not only woody species and wild animals but also a wealth of other species of actual or potential socio-economic importance at the global, national and local levels, including the wild relatives of important crop species. Foresters are in a key position to help ensure the conservation and wise use of these valuable resources.

Genes from naturally occurring populations, in addition to buffering species in the wild against adverse or changing environmental conditions (including climatic change, pests and diseases), are needed to ensure the adaptation to changing conditions and socio-economic needs of species and varieties presently in use. They will also be required in the domestication of plants and animals yet to be identified.

Genetic erosion and the extinction of plant and animal species are occurring today at an increasing pace, mainly due to the loss of natural ecosystems and to selection and genetic improvement carried out without adequate concern to genetic conservation issues. Active and vigorous measures are needed to reverse this trend.

To succeed, conservation must be considered an integral part of development, not a constraint to it. Harmonizing sustainable utilization and conservation is a key to sustainable resource use, in the short. as well as in the long term.

Strategies for Genetic Conservation

There are two basic strategies for genetic conservation; they are in situ (on-site) and ex situ (off-site, i.e. in conservation stands, genebanks, arboreta, botanic gardens etc.). These two strategies are complementary and should be carried out in parallel in the case of conservation of species and intra-specific genetic variation. Ecosystem conservation, is, by definition, done on-site; however, to be effective in the long term, it must be carried our in parallel with conservation in and ex situ of component species and their genetic variation.

In the case of in situ conservation, it should be recognized chat genetic and ecological variations ate very seldom, if ever, stable; the goal for managers of genetic resources is thus not to preserve a static condition, but to contain a dynamic system. Managed utilization is generally compatible with the in situ conservation or genetic resources of priority species, provided basic, genetic principles are applied and sustained Similarly, genetic improvement programmes can and should incorporate components of genetic resource conservation; such programmes can even, if well planned, enhance the genetic variation of target species

FAO's Activities in Genetic Conservation

Perceptions of global needs and priorities have greatly changed over the more than 40 years of existence of FAO. The rapid developments in the field of conservation of ecosystems and genetic resources and emerging new, powerful technologies, are reflected in shifts in emphasis in the work of the Organization and in the creation of new Statutory Bodies to direct the work adequately.

Action in the conservation of forest genetic resources in FAO is guided by the FAO Panel of Experts on Forest Gene Resources, established in 1968. Among its tasks, the Panel draws up and regularly updates a priority list for activities by region, species and activity (exploration, collection, evaluation, in and ex situ conservation, utilization). The Commission on Plant Genetic Resources, established in 1983, oversees the implementation of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources within the framework of which FAO's Forestry Department is the focal point for activities related to the in situ conservation of plant genetic resources

The overall modus operandi of FAO's Forestry Department in this field has, over the years, remained the same, that is, the Department collaborates with national or regional institutes which are or wish to become involved in forest genetic resources work. The Department, through modest financial support from its Regular Programme, assistance in the generation of outside funding for pilot and operational conservation schemes, technical advice and dissemination of information, helps strengthen such institutes and facilitates collaboration and the flow of information and genetic materials between them. It helps raise the awareness at all levels of the issues involved through dialogue with Governments and the decision-making level in member countries, and provides a forum for discussion and debate. Its field projects technically advise and assist Governments in the planning and execution of conservation and conservation-related projects, and help integrate genetic conservation concerns into landuse and forestry planning in general.

Specific activities include assistance in the exploration, collection and evaluation of forest genetic resources, planning and development of seed centres, and the establishment and management of in and ex situ conservation elands of priority species. FAO also helps coordinate international species and provenance collections, the distribution of seed for field testing, end follow-up action in the overall assessment and evaluation of such trials in the humid and dry tropics as well as in the Mediterranean region.

Over the past 20 years, the Department has published a range of guides and manuals on the conservation of forest; genetic resources, targeted at various levels. Recent publications include a document on the role and possibilities of ex situ conservation as a complement to in situ conservation strategies; and a series of guides and manuals on strategies and methodologies of in situ conservation of plants and woody species, including information on the compatibility of forest management for production purposes with the conservation in situ of genetic resources. A number of Conservation Guides have been published on wildlife management and on the planning and management of protected areas.

FAO collaborates closely with. other national and international institutes active in the conservation of plant and animal genetic resources, particularly with its partners in the Ecosystem Conservation Group, ECG (FAO, Unesco, UNEP, IUCN, World Wildlife Fund International, UNDP, the World Bank, World Resources Institute and IBPGR).

February 1992

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