Conservation of genetic resources in tropical forest management. FAO Forestry Paper
No 107, based on the work of R.H. Kemp. FAO, Rome 1993. Available in English.
The document outlines present forest management strategies and available in situ
conservation methodologies in the moist tropical forest, and discusses the possibilities to
harmonize the conservation of genetic resources with their sustainable use. It underlines that
the challenge for conservation of genetic resources is not to select, set aside and guard
protected areas, nor to preserve seed, pollen or tissue in a seedbank. Rather, it is to
maintain genetic variability of target species within a mosaic of economically and socially
acceptable land use options; this will imply the explicit inclusion of genetic concerns in the
management plans of both protected areas and forest reserves. The document concludes
that, while it is neither necessary nor desirable to prescribe equal priority and intensity of
genetic resource conservation to all production forests, forest management plans should, by
definition, always include provisions for protecting site conditions, seed trees, seedling
regeneration and advance growth of desirable species, according to plans and prescriptions
which should balance productive, protective and environmental needs at a national level. Ex situ storage of seeds, pollen and in vitro cultures of perennial woody plant species.
FAO Forestry Paper, based on the work of B.S.P. Wang, P.J. Charest and B. Downie.
FAO, Rome 1993. Available in English, in press in French.
The document discusses the place and role of ex situ conservation in woody perennial
species in the light of new methodologies and technology available for the storage of seeds,
pollen and tissue. Based on a detailed review, it concludes that, with present-day
knowledge, the storage of pollen, recalcitrant seeds and in vitro cultures, are only viable as
a short term measure. The only technically secure, medium to long-term ex situ
conservation method available for large-scale use in forestry is the storage of orthodox
seeds. Such seeds can usually be stored in the long term, through the application of
cryopreservation methodologies. However, in this case the problems related to regeneration
of seedstocks will present often unsurmountable difficulties. Storage per se may thus not be
the most difficult problem in long term ex situ conservation strategies of woody perennials,
and such strategies should continue to be considered as complements rather than substitutes
to in situ conservation.
The above documents are available from the Distribution and Sales, or the Forest Resources
Division, FAO, Via delle Terme di Caracalla, I-00100 Rome, Italy; and from authorized
national sellers of FAO publications. |
