The present issue of Forest Genetic Resources aims to present recent developments in the conservation, sustainable use and management of forest tree genetic diversity, from national, regional or global perspectives. Several articles describe techniques and methodologies used for the characterization, protection, conservation and management of important forest tree species and their genetic diversity, in Albania, Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Hawaii, Indonesia and West Africa. Other contributions address tree breeding and improvement and domestication issues, including preliminary testing of neem provenances in Ethiopia, and a concept paper of a founder project to mark the domestication baseline for forest trees. An article discusses the issues faced at the field level during the implementation of an interdisciplinary and participatory genetic conservation project, through case studies in Argentina and Brazil.
This issue of Forest Genetic Resources also explores a number of emerging issues closely associated with the forest genetic resources field. Special emphasis is given to Biosecurity, which describes the concept, objective and process of managing biological risks. An article discusses its relevance to the forestry sector. Biological risks, which were traditionally associated with forest health and phytosanitary concerns, also encompass risks associated with the introduction of new tree species and genotypes. Recent concerns over the spread of introduced trees species outside their cultivated areas have the potential to influence the movement and use of tree germplasm, and highlight the importance of carefully testing and monitoring introduced tree species. A summary is provided of a regional evaluation of woody invasive species in four countries and territories of the Western Indian Ocean.
The importance of regional initiatives in fostering collaboration between national institutions of participating countries on priority forest tree species work is documented in Central Africa, Central America and Europe, and an article outlines the outcomes and challenges of the European Forest Genetic Resources programme (REFORGEN).
Over the past months, the forest genetic resources site, at the FAO Forestry Department homepage, has been substantially revised and updated (http://www.fao.org/forestry/fgr). The whole series of Forest Genetic Resources in English, French and Spanish (No 1 to No 30) has been digitalized and posted online.
