In 1974 UNEP and FAO cooperated in a pilot study which led to the publication, in 1975, of the report “The Methodology of Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources”. Its recommendations included proposals for action in conservation to which UNEP was requested to make a direct financial contribution. A summary is shown in Table 1b (page 17) of the Proposals for a Global Programme for Improved Use of Forest Genetic Resources, which appeared in FGRI 4.
It is extremely gratifying to report that UNEP has agreed to contribute finance to a follow-up project entitled “Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources”. The new project differs from the original proposals for a Global Programme in that it covers a two-year, instead of a five-year, period and the average annual budget is at a reduced level. Nevertheless it represents a substantial contribution which provides the means of effecting some worthwhile action where it matters; in the field. The use made of these funds over the next two years should provide the foundation for a subsequent expanding long-term programme of conservation of forest genetic resources.
Progress in obtaining financial support for forest genetic resources from the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (see note on page 1 of FGRI 3) has, on the other hand, been exceedingly slow. At its Second Session (May 1975), the Board's forester member, Mr. Bouvarel, presented a paper which gave the forest resources background and described the main features of the Global Programme.
At its Third Session (February 1976) the Board invited Professor Morandini, Chairman of FAO's Panel of Experts on Forest Gene Resources, to review the activities of the Panel since its establishment in 1968 and the financial resources needed to implement the Global Programme. The Board unanimously recommended that certain limited projects in forestry, i.e., food trees, fuelwood species and stabilization of marginal environments, should qualify for Board support, as well as the extension of the Genetic Resources/Communication Information, Documentation System to forestry genetic resources collections.
A previous ruling of the Board's parent body, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, and its Technical Advisory Committee instructed the Board not to finance any forestry project without referring the proposal to them. Thus, no finance for forestry can be forthcoming until the CG/TAC has decided whether to accept the Board's recommendation. A multi-storeyed structure, which works admirably in a tropical rain forest, is not so good for international committees.
The paper on Araucaria araucana by Messrs Veblen and Delmastro which appears in this issue raises the question of the value of widespread ornamental plantings for the conservation of genetic variability. Araucaria araucana is a good example in temperate climates. There are many similar examples from the tropics. In the case of Delonix regia one may hazard a guess that the variation within the species and hence its ability to survive is now considerably greater, as a result of its pan-tropical planting as an exotic, than it ever was within the natural range in Madagascar. The views of readers, from their personal experience with particular species, would be welcome.
