The following official statement was formulated in July 1979 by the Institute of Foresters of Australia :
"Australia's forests comprise a diverse range of biological communities, each containing a number of different species. Each species has its own measure of variability, contained in its gene pool, perpetuated through genetic recombination in each generation. Such diversity enables species and communities both to flourish in existing conditions in a variety of forms and to adapt to changes in the environment.
This diversity should be conserved as part of our heritage. It may be regarded as a resource with perceived and potential values for the husbandry of flora and fauna or their derivatives. Since future needs cannot be predicted, the variation in the resource should be conserved and managed to ensure its availability in perpetuity.
The Institute of Foresters of Australia advocates that:
The vast array of genetic variability contained in the many species in Australian forests, both native and introduced, be recognised as an important natural resource - a genetic resource.
The genetic resource be managed with the major objectives of conserving its genetic variability and providing a source of plants and animals for reproduction in different environments and for a variety of purposes.
Provision be made for the conservation of broad samples of the gene pools of forest species.
Genetic conservation of these species does not depend on the preservation of particular individuals or communities, but rather on the continued existence of their genes. Gene conservation, therefore, does not preclude harvesting provided that the genepools are reproduced with similar composition in succeeding generations and the opportunity for continued evolution is maintained.
The gene pools of native species are best preserved in natural communities. This objective is best achieved in designated reserves of sufficient size, managed for this purpose. Protection forests or forests managed extensively with natural regeneration also have an important role in gene conservation. Forest areas regenerated by artificial seeding or planting with material of inderterminate origin are not adequate for the conservation of gene resources.
Gene pools of introduced species, or of populations of native species whose environment is threatened, or of improved forms of the species, may be conserved in plantations.
Because of the worldwide importance of the genus Eucalyptus, Australia has special and international responsibility for the conservation of the genetic resources of this genus.
Where appropriate, the genetic resource be developed to produce trees and shrubs with improved characteristics for productive, protective and aesthetic purposes. For this purpose further introductions of useful exotic species may be necessary to ensure that the best genetic material is available in Australia.
Continued research is required into the composition, distribution, natural populations, in order to provide a sound basis for planning conservation of gene pools and for the development and use of the gene resource.
A register be maintained of endangered species and of those likely to suffer an appreciable loss of their natural ecological range."
