ANNEX 3: Priority Setting

I. Extracts from “FAO Draft Technical Guidelines Identification and Definition of National Priorities”
II. Extracts “Genetics and the Forests of the Future”
III. Extracts, “IPGRI’s Programme in Criteria for Effective Priority-Setting”
IV. Extracts from, “Setting priorities for conservation of the conifer genetic resources of British Columbia (Canada)”

See also: Koshy et al 2000; Namkoong 1987, 1999; Namkoong and Koshy 2000.

I. Extracts from “FAO Draft Technical Guidelines Identification and Definition of National Priorities”

Prepared for use in regional workshops on forest genetic resources
(Ref. FAO 1999b)

Identification of target species according to perceived value and attributes/uses

The first step in defining a regional/sub-regional forest genetic resources action programme will be to list priority species targeted for action (incl. provenances of special value), and to assess the nature of the value attached to them.

Relative priorities for action within any one country will be determined by countries concerned, by balancing socio-economic, environmental and cultural values assessed in the light of susceptibility or likelihood of loss or degradation of genetic resources of target species. Sub-regional and regional priorities will, in addition, take into account common interests and commonality of priority species and activities; and possibilities to complement action through assigning regional and sub-regional lead organizations for given species and/or activities.

Value of target species

Regarding target species, Namkoong (1986) described genetic management for three groups of species (see also Section II of this Annex):

1. Species of current socio-economic importance;
2. Species with clear potential or future value;
3. Species of unknown value given present knowledge and technology.

In regard to (2), the main need will be to clarify the nature and patterns of genetic variation. Progress in this regard can be achieved through genecological exploration, followed by provenance testing to pin-point useful, diverse or unique populations and their specific characteristics. These studies can be supported, when required, by the use of genetic markers to determine corresponding molecular level genetic variation. An indication should be given on whether the species is, (i) indigenous; or (ii) introduced.

In regard to (3), into which a large majority of forest tree species falls, the concept of “improvement for human use” is not usually applicable, and the continued existence of samples of populations of such species may be the only management objective. Species which are endemic or endangered at species or population level, but which are not of present-day social or economic value, will fall into this category.

Uses and attributes of target species

In the case of categories (1), (2), and when possible also (3), it is suggested that indication be given of the main actual or potential uses or attributes of priority (target) species:

- (ti) timber production;
- (po) posts, poles, roundwood;
- (pu) pulp and paper
- (wo) fuelwood, charcoal;
- (nw) non-wood products (gums, resins, oils, tannins, medicines, dyes...);
- (fo) food;
- (fd) fodder;
- (sh) shade, shelter;
- (ag) agroforestry systems;
- (co) soil and water conservation;
- (am) amenity, esthetic, ethical values;
- (xx) other (to be specified).

It is proposed to gather data regarding the value, attributes and uses in a table such as the one shown below, prepared as an example for the Sahelian dry zone Africa Workshop in 1998.

Table 1. Value and attributes/uses of target species, to be filled in by country: example of possible scenario

Species

Value code

Present, future or potential use

ti

po

wo

nw

pu

fo

fd

sh

ag

co

am

xx

Acacia karroo

2

X

X

Eucalyptus camaldulensis

1

X

X

Faidherbia albida

1

X

X

Management and occurrence of target species

In order to prioritize among target species, information will be needed on their present occurrence, on-going programmes and projects in which they are included, and actual or potential threats to their genetic resources.

Management and present location of genetic resources of target species

The following repositories of genetic resources should be considered (see also Figure 1 in text of this paper; and Palmberg-Lerche 1998):

(a) Protected Areas, National Parks (managed with the principle of full protection and minimum intervention by man), in which the target species is a component of a protected ecosystem;

(b) Conservation stands in situ, ex situ (managed for the explicit purpose of conservation of genetic resources of the specified target species). In case of ex situ conservation stands, size, and number of provenances included in each separate stand should be specified.

(c) Forest Reserves, managed forests, in which special attention is given to genetic conservation of target species in defined compartments. These forests include naturally regenerated forests; and plantations (specify if local or introduced provenances used in plantations, if known);

(d) Village woodlots, farmers’ fields, windbreaks, homesteads (specify if local or introduced provenances used in plantations, if known);

(e) Field experiments, selection and breeding programmes (specify number of provenances, families, clones).

< 100 individuals
between 100 and 500 individuals
between 500 and 1 000 individuals
between 1 000 and 10 000 individuals
> 10 000 individuals.

Table 2 lists silvicultural methods and management strategies, with special reference to maintaining, conserving or enhancing the genetic resources of given species or species found in given, specified areas. However, management and intensive intervention by man usually concerns only a small proportion of the forest estate, and is likely to be limited to a relatively small number of species and populations, notably those included in intensive silvicultural, or tree planting and tree improvement programmes. In many cases the only basis for evaluating general trends and conservation status is to estimate, in general terms, the intensity of use as related to variation in diversity of the resource and size of occurrence of individual species and populations.

In these cases, estimates should be given of the number of individuals in each of the below management/use categories, in each major ecological or geographic zone (to be specified/briefly described).

Table 2. Management and location of genetic resources, by type of site and species: example of possible scenario

Species/area type	Reserve, national park	Stands in situ ex situ	Managed natural stands	Managed planted stands	Farmers’ fields, homesteads	Experiments, field trials
Spp. 1, zone A	< 100
Spp. 1, zone B					>500(est)
Spp. 1, zone C		Ex situ 20
Spp. 2, zone B			<1000*
Spp. 2, zone D						5 provenances

(a) Protected (in protected areas, parks, nature reserves);
(b) Managed for protective purposes (soil and water conservation, shade/shelter);
(c) Managed for productive purposes (wood, non-wood products);
(d) Managed for grazing/browse;
(e) Unmanaged use and harvesting;
(f) Unmanaged grazing/browse (domestic animals, wildlife);
(g) Threatened by wildfires, biotic/abiotic factors (pests, diseases, floods, pollution);
(h) Threatened by clearing for agriculture, pasture;
(i) Threatened by overgrazing
(j) Threatened by infrastructure development (dams, mining, urban expansion);
(k) Other (specify).

1. Implementation/enforcement of regulations probable, and regulations scientifically sound (for use/management categories (a)-(d) above); or threat mild/occasional (categories (e)-(j) above);

2, 3, 4. Intermediate between 1 and 5;

5. Implementation/enforcement of regulations unlikely; or threat severe with high probability of genetic degradation or loss.

Synthesis: Identification of priority species

Based on the above evaluation, species in need of immediate action among the target species originally specified can be pin-pointed, reducing the original list to those in need of most urgent attention.

If, for example, a given target species occurs in large managed forest areas, in each major ecological zone specified, implying 1 000 to 10 000 individuals in each, and the enforcement of management is satisfactory, this potential target species - while it may be socially, economically and/or environmentally of top importance - will not be in need of immediate intervention and action; only monitoring of the situation, over time, will be needed.

If a given potential target species, while under some threat of depletion in parts of its range, is the focus of on-going selection and breeding activities, and occurs in seed stands, comprehensive clone banks and field trials in satisfactory numbers, again, the situation should be monitored but the species may not be of top priority in an action plan.

On the other hand, if the number of individuals in outlying populations of a given potential target species has been reduced to, say <100, and the populations are subject to un-managed grazing and firewood collection, serious consideration should be given for the inclusion of this species and/or given populations in an intensive action programme to safeguard the genetic resources under threat through conservation, management, or systematic inclusion of threatened populations in selection and breeding programmes and populations.

Table 3. Example of reporting on levels of security/management, by species

Columns a-l (continued below<->)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

f

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

(k)

(l)

Species (by ecogeographic zone)

Protected in protected areas

Managed for:

Unmanaged:

Threats and causes for possible loss

Overall Degree of Security

Soil, water conservation

used for production of wood, n/w goods

Grazing, browse

Used for production of wood, n/w goods

Used for grazing, browse

Environmental factors

Deforestation

Overgrazing

Development of infrastructure

Other reasons

Species1 zone A

<100 trees

>1000 trees

1

Species1 zone B

1000 trees

1000 trees

2

Species2 zone B

< 100

< 100

< 100 trees

5

.....etc.

Operational Needs in Priority Species

Once the listing of possible target species has been narrowed down to focus on a list of top priority species (based on value, status and threats), operational needs should be specified. It is suggested that the following categories be used:

Taxonomic exploration;
Genecological exploration;
Collection of reproductive materials for testing;
Testing/evaluation (field trials at provenance, progeny, clonal levels);
Conservation and genetic management in situ;
Collection for conservation ex situ;
Conservation ex situ;
Selection and breeding;
Research on phenology, breeding systems, flowering/fruiting;
Research on silviculture, management.

Priority should be given to relevant operations, as applicable, on a proposed scale of 1-5:

- Priority 1: Top priority, action should start with immediate effect;
- Priorities 2-4: Intermediate between 1 and 5;
- Priority 5: Action should start within coming 10-year period.

II. Extracts “Genetics and the Forests of the Future”

(Ref. Namkoong 1986)

As a preliminary approach to priority setting for conservation, it has been suggested that forest tree species might be classified into three broad categories (adapted from Namkoong 1986):

1. Species and populations managed for present-day use. This group includes species of proven social and economic value. Management is carried out through silvicultural interventions, and through plantation development, both implemented with due consideration of genetic principles. Management of seed production and breeding populations include genetic conservation as a strong, basic consideration and as an integral part of action.

2. Management of species and populations with potential social and economic value. There is usually a need to increase knowledge about overall requirements and characteristics of these frequently biologically and silviculturally inadequately known species, and there is almost always need to clarify and investigate the inherent kind and levels of variation and variation patterns in them. In situ and ex situ conservation areas of representative samples of the genepool, based on ecological variation of the area of distribution, and/or on morphological variation in the species, should be demarcated or established, and these should be managed in parallel with on-going research and development programmes. When adequate basic knowledge is available, genetic conservation can be more adequately targeted, and can be integrated in management and breeding programmes, as outlined for (1) above.

3. Management of species which, while playing a likely role in ecosystem functions, do not have specific present-day or likely future economic value; while they are possible alternatives, and potential substitutes, in maintaining ecosystem functions and in the provision of related goods and services, they not have a unique present day or likely future utilitarian or ecological value. A vast number of forest tree species falls into this category. While gradually increasing knowledge of the ecology, genetics, variation and silvicultural needs of such species through sustainable management practices in natural and semi-natural stands, individual species and ecologically and likely genetically differentiated populations need to be regularly monitored. Direct action can realistically be taken and related investments made in conservation only when monitoring of their status calls for direct intervention.

III. Extracts, “IPGRI’s Programme in Criteria for Effective Priority-Setting”

(Ref. IPGRI 2000a,b)

IPGRI activities in the development of criteria and indicators for effective priority setting for forest genetic resources is based on the need to provide a significant contribution to conservation efforts with limited resources available. The objective of this research activity is to provide national programs with tools needed to develop strategies and to identify priority actions for effective conservation and sustainable management and use of forest genetic resources. It is also intended to assist national programs to identify priority populations for inclusion in regional and national programs, based on:

· the biological characteristics of the ecosystems and species;
· the extent and nature of existing threats;
· the environmental and economic value of different species;
· the genetic diversity within species and populations;
· the social and human importance of species and ecosystems.

A targeted research effort on decision strategies on priorities for conservation and use of forest genetic resources, in collaboration with University of British Columbia allowed the collation of extensive available information on most frequently recorded threat to forest species, through in depth literature review. Monitoring requirements for each class of threat have been described. A manual on procedures for application of genetic markers to diversity assessment in forest species has been annotated: it lists information on the different tools being used to measure genetic diversity, their suitability in different contexts. A decision making framework for prioritizing species, populations and conservation management interventions has been developed for testing under different social arrays and ecological conditions. Species prioritization is also a key component in IPGRI supported programmes such as the collaborative IPGRI-INBAR network on Bamboo and Rattan (Hunter 2000), and in the work of IPGRI regional offices (see e.g. Bazuin 2000).

IV. Extracts from, “Setting priorities for conservation of the conifer genetic resources of British Columbia (Canada)”

(Ref. Yanchuk and Lester 1996)

The paper noted that gene conservation must be done using practical and effective methods which are integrated with other activities and uses of the land, and suggested that the following vehicles for conservation be considered: (i) current and prospective unmanaged reserves (protected areas); (ii) new reserves managed for in situ genetic purposes; (iii) ex situ collections and experimental plantations (including provenance collections and tests, and breeding populations).

Status and conservation needs for 23 indigenous conifer species in the province of British Columbia, Canada were reviewed using the below prioritization criteria:

1. Is the species common?
2. Does the species have a large range?
3. What capacity does the species have for natural regeneration?
4. What is the status of species in current reserves?
5. Is the species in provenance and breeding programmes?
6. What are the current or potential economic value of the species?