BACKGROUND
Whereas the importance of conserving and utilizing existing variation is recognized as fundamental in most tree species used in large-scale industrial plantations, little or no information is yet available on intra-specific variation in a large number of tropical species which today are receiving increased attention as providers of goods and services for rural communities.
At its Fourth Session in 1977, the FAO Panel of Experts on Forest Gene Resources drew special attention to these multi-purpose species which, in the past, have tended to fall between the two stools of forestry and agriculture. The Panel drew up a list of priority species1 laying special emphasis on arboreal fuelwood species in arid and semi-arid zones, where it considered that environmental amelioration is likely to have the greatest effects, and where increasing pressure from human populations and domestic livestock coupled with fluctuations in world meteorological patterns, are leading to rapid deterioration of ecosystems and to genetic depletion of presently or potentially useful species.
On the basis of the recommendations made by the Panel and with financial assistance from IBPGR2, FAO's Forestry Department initiated in 1979 a project on the conservation and better utilization of genetic resources of arboreal species for the improvement of rural living, in which the main emphasis was laid on fuelwood species. After an initial phase consisting of an on-the-ground survey of needs and possibilities for such a project 3, a second, operational phase was started in January 1981.
2 International Board for Plant Genetic Resources
AIMS AND SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
The main aims of the project are to act as a catalyst to remedy the severe lack of genetic information on arid and semi-arid zone species, and to aid countries in the practical application of any results which may become available in its course. The present phase of the project (Phase II) is of a duration of 2 years (1981–1982).
Based on the list drawn up by the FAO Panel, and in accordance with the wishes expressed by potential cooperators, priority has been given to the exploration, collection and conservation of a few, select species in the genera Acacia, Eucalyptus and Prosopis; in addition to these priority species and genera, some countries will also collect seed of sympatric species in the genera Atriplex, Azadirachta and Capparis (see Table 1).
Countries initially cooperating in the exploration/collection, conservation and evaluation phases are: Australia (collection/conservation only), Chile, India, Israel, Mexico, Peru, Senegal, Sudan and PDR Yemen. However, other countries in arid and semi-arid areas will also benefit from the project, as information and results will be made freely available and widely disseminated, and as seed in excess of that needed to establish a network of trials in cooperating countries will be distributed to any country interested in evaluating it, at a “first come, first served” basis. Clearly also, conservation of genetic material of actual or potential value will benefit any country, regardless of national borders.
STRATEGIES OF THE PROJECT
The tightest bottle-neck to the more efficient utilization of existing forest genetic resources is exploration and collection. The main efforts during Phase II of the project will therefore be concentrated primarily on these activities. In addition, evaluation aimed at revealing potentially useful genetic variation, degree of adaptability to a range of environmental conditions and economic or social value of the species/provenances included, will be initiated by the establishment of internationally coordinated species/provenance trials.
Conservation of endangered populations will receive due attention. Efficient planning and action will, however, be largely dependent on more detailed knowledge of the distribution, variation and degree of threat to the species and provenances in question. An element of dissemination of information, training and overall coordination has also been included.
FUTURE PLANS
It is envisaged that possible later phases of the project will include the utilization aspect, the ultimate objective of all activities concerned with forest genetic resources. It comprises the use of semi-bulk supplies of seed or other propagating material for the establishment of selection/seed production stands, as well as the selection and breeding of more desirable genotypes within well-adapted species and provenances.
Resources permitting, the present range of species and the number of cooperating countries will also gradually be extended.
