FINAL STATEMENT ON THE
FAO/IBPGR/UNEP PROJECT ON GENETIC RESOURCES OF ARID AND SEMI-ARID ZONE ARBOREAL SPECIES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF RURAL LIVING 1979–1987

I. PURPOSE

The main purposes of the project were to act as a catalyst for gathering genetic materials and information on arid and semi-arid zone woody species, and to aid countries in the practical application of any results which may become available from it.

Information about the project has earlier been published in “Forest Genetic Resources Information” (No. 10 pp. 31–33; No. 12 pp. 32–35; No. 13 pp. 12–17) and “Unasylva” (vol. 33, (No. 133), pp. 22–30).

II. DURATION AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The project was initiated by FAO's Forestry Department in 1979. Up to 1985, financial support was received from IBPGR and, indirectly - through IBPGR - from UNEP. The project has been continued beyond 1985, using FAO Regular Programme funding. The total contribution 1979–1987 amounts to approximately US$ 1.4 million, excluding the direct and indirect inputs from cooperating countries and institutes.

III. COOPERATING COUNTRIES AND INSTITUTES

The countries actively cooperating in the exploration/ collection, conservation and evaluation phases are: Chile, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, P.D.R. Yemen, Senegal and Sudan. Seed collection was also carried out by Land Development Authority, Israel; CSIRO, Australia; CTFT, France; and Oxford Forestry Institute, U.K. Seed storage and distribution facilities are provided by the DANIDA Forest Seed Centre, Denmark. Kew Gardens, U.K., provide facilities for long-term storage of a number of seedlots.

IV. ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Seed collection

A total of 281 provenances of 43 species, mainly within the genera Acacia and Prosopis were explored and sampled. More than 1,600 kg of well-documented seed was collected, whenever possible from 20 or more trees per provenance. A summary of the seed collected 1981–1987 is given in Annex 1.

2. Seed distribution for evaluation

Seed despatch for evaluation purposes to the cooperating countries began in 1983, and to other countries, which had expressed interest in these worldwide trials, in 1985.

Trials were established by one or several institutes in 17 countries, using standard design and evaluation schedules for comparability and maximum information.

In addition, seedlots were distributed for laboratory research in three countries.

A summary of the seed distributed 1983–87 is given in Annex 2.

3. In and ex situ conservation

Results from comprehensive provenance trials are of little value if the proven provenances have disappeared when the results are known. In the present project, collaborating countries were requested to take the following measures:

1. collect as much reproductive materials as possible from stands likely to be lost or severely decimated in the near future (for conservation ex situ);

2. safeguard those stands from which provenance collections are made, at least until such a time when variation patterns and the potential value of the various provenances are known (conservation in situ).

A number of the provenances collected are represented in semi-bulk quantities, presently stored as seed but intended in the future for establishment of ex situ conservation stands and seed production areas.

Samples of 100 seedlots were transferred to Kew Gardens for long-term storage, as a back-up, for provenances likely to be used in the establishment of the ex situ conservation stands in cooperating countries; and in in situ seed stands in originating countries.

In situ conservation formed an important component of the project, especially where stands were found to be endangered with extinction or depletion of the gene pool. A proposal for in situ conservation of Prosopis cineraria in PDR Yemen was approved by the Government of PDR Yemen and is in course of implementation.

4. Technical support and cooperation

Progress in improved utilization of genetic resources of arboreal species of arid and semi-arid zones will remain largely dependent on the active efforts of individual countries and national research institutes. The impact of such efforts can be greatly increased by the creation of an international framework which promotes and facilitates collaboration between neighbouring countries or countries with similar ecological conditions. The present project, in spite of its limitations in funding and timeframe, has provided such a framework, and has assisted national institutes in a range of countries in coordinating their action aimed at wise utilization of species which occur in a number of countries and in which exploration, collection and conservation activities consequently should not be confined within national borders. To support the countries in strengthening their national institutions and to promote international cooperation, the project also provided minor funding for purchase of equipment, training, and dissemination and exchange of information.

During the project period, the cooperating countries were visited either by FAO consultants or FAO staff to review and discuss priority of action and progress in the implementation of the project; to help identify needs for equipment and training; to identify and solve problems of communication; and to give on-the-spot advice on specific aspects of the work being carried out, to assure standardization of methodology, and generally to exchange views with personnel engaged in the project.

Major publications and studies published in the course of the project, are listed in Annex 3.

V. FOLLOW-UP

In general, larger amounts of seed were collected by the cooperating countries than anticipated, which is a reflection of the considerable enthusiasm and spirit of collaboration that the project suscitated.

Seed, presently stored at the DANIDA Forest Seed Centre in Denmark, will continue to be distributed by FAO for evaluation trials in a range of environmental conditions, using - to the extent possible - the standardized design and evaluation schedules already in use.

Results from field evaluation will help determine the genetic variation and variation patterns of the species tested, and will give indications of those species and provenances of greatest value for use in specified environmental conditions and for specified end uses. Based on evaluation results and information from exploration of the natural range of the species, priorities will be determined for conservation in and ex situ. FAO's Forestry Department will continue to advise countries on methodologies of conservation in situ; and on strategies for the harmonization of conservation and management of in situ conservation stands for sustainable utilization. Seed will also be distributed for the establishment of ex situ conservation and seed production stands, in accordance with proven methodologies.

Some seed presently in store, will be distributed, at request, to research institutes in developing and developed countries, for studies on taxonomy, storage and pre-treatment of seeds, seed pests and insects, isoenzymatic studies, etc.

For further information, please contact the Director, Forest Resources Division, FAO (Via delle Terme di Caracalla, I-00100 Rome, Italy).

Acacia nilotica spp. adstringens, north of Nioro, Mali.
(Photo: C. Cossalter)

ANNEX 1

FAO Project on Genetic Resources of Arid and Semi-Arid Zone
Arboreal Species for the Improvement of Rural Living.

ANNEX 2

FAO Project on Genetic Resources of Arid and Semi-Arid Zone
Arboreal Species for the Improvement of Rural Living

ANNEX 3

MAIN PUBLICATIONS, ARTICLES, REPORTS AND PAPERS PRODUCED DURING THE PROJECT ^{1 2}

Ben Salem, B. & Palmberg, C. 1985 Place and Role of Trees and Shrubs in Dry Areas. In: Vickens et al. (Eds.). Plants for Arid Lands. Proc. Kew Internat. Conf. on Economic Plants for Arid Lands, Kew Gardens (U.K.), June 1984. George Allen & Unwin. pp. 93–102.

Cossalter, C. 1985 Propositions pour la conservation des ressources génétiques de Prosopis cineraria en Republique Democratique et Populaire du Yemen. FAO, Rome. 30 pp. + annexes 1–13 (F, A).

FAO 1979–87 Forest Genetic Resources Information numbers 9–15. FAO, Rome. (E, F, S).

FAO/IBPGR 1980 Genetic Resources of Tree Species in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas. A survey for the improvement of rural living in Latin America, Africa, India and Southwest Asia. Based on the work of F.B. Armitage, P.A. Joustra, B. Ben Salem. FAO, Rome. (118 pp.). (E, F, S).

FAO/IBPGR 1983 - Taxonomy of Acacia species (based on the work of J.P.M. Brenan, U.K.). FAO, Rome. (47 pp.).

- Taxonomy of Prosopis in Mexico, Peru and Chile (based on the work of P.F. Ffolliot and J.L. Thames, Tucson/ Arizona, USA). FAO, Rome. (31 pp.).

- Seeds of Dry Zone Acacias (based on the work of J.C. Doran, J.W. Turnbull, D.J. Boland and B.V. Gunn, CSIRO/Australia). FAO, Rome. (92 pp.).

- Collection, Handling, Storage and Pre-treatment of Prosopis seeds in Latin America (based on the work of P.F. Ffolliot and J.L. Thames, Tucson/Arizona, USA). FAO, Rome. (45 pp.).

- Seed insects of Acacia species (based on the work of B.J. Southgate, U.K.) FAO, Rome. (30 pp.).

- Seed insects of Prosopis species (based on the work of C.D. Johnson, Flagstaff/Arizona, USA). FAO, Rome. (55 pp.).

All the six handbooks listed are available in E, F and S.

FAO 1984 Report to the IBPGR Executive Committee (May 1984) on activities 1979, 1981–1983; and proposals for action 1984–85. Based on the work of M. Reynders. Unpublished report, Forest Resources Division, FAO, Rome. (16 pp. + annexes 1–5).

FAO 1985 A Guide to Forest Seed Handling with special reference to the tropics. compiled by R.L. Willan, DFSC. FAO Forestry Paper 20/2. FAO, Rome. (379 pp.).

FAO 1986 Selection and Genetic improvement of indigenous and exotic multipurpose woody species; including seed collection, handling, storage and exchange (based on the work of O. Souvannavong and C. Cossalter). In: Increasing Productivity of Multipurpose Lands. IUFRO Research Planning Workshop for Africa, Sahelian and North Sudanian Zones, Nairobi, Kenya, 9–15 January 1986: 139–164. IUFRO, Vienna (available also from the Canadian Forestry Service). (E, F).

FAO 1987 Research on the woody vegetation and forestry development in the arid and semi-arid zones of Tropical South America. Prepared by C. Palmberg. Unpublished proposal for sub-regional project. Forest Resources Division, FAO, Rome. (32 pp. + Annexes 1–5).

Palmberg, C. 1981 Genetic resources of arboreal fuelwood species for the improvement of rural living. Special Invited Paper, FAO/UNEP/IBPGR Technical Conference on Crop Genetic Resources, Rome, Italy, April 1981. Forest Resources Division, FAO, Rome, Italy.

Palmberg, C. 1981 A Vital Fuelwood Gene Pool is in Danger. Unasylva 33(133):22–30. (E, F, S).

Palmberg, C. 1983 Conservation and variation in tropical tree species. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter 55/September 1983. FAO/AGP, Rome, Italy.

Palmberg, C. 1986 Selection and genetic improvement of indigenous and exotic multi-purpose tree species for dry zones. Agroforestry Systems 4:121–127. Junk Publishers, Netherlands.

¹ E = available in English
F = available in French
S = available in Spanish
A = available in Arabic

² Funded by IBPGR/UNEP; or FAO/Regular Programme funds. Produced by or under supervision of Forest Resources Division, Forestry Department, FAO (Rome, Italy).