Year of publication 2002

Forests are the single most important repositories of terrestrial biological diversity. They provide a wide range of products and services to people throughout the world. Forest trees and other woody plants help support many other organisms, and have developed complex mechanisms to maintain high levels of genetic diversity. Conservation of forest biological diversity, which comprises forest genetic resources, is essential for sustaining the productive value of forests, for maintaining the health and vitality of forest ecosystems and, thereby, for maintaining their protective, environmental and cultural roles. This guide is the second volume of a series of three that deals with the conservation of forest (tree and shrub) genetic resources. It is focused on the conservation of forest genetic resources in situ. Its main aim is to demonstrate the benefits attainable through genetic conservation, and to provide practical guidance on in situ conservation strategies and methodologies for planners, decision-makers and professionals involved in forest conservation and forest management. Examples and case studies illustrate some of the differences and complementarities between genetic resources and ecosystem conservation, and the compatibility of conservation and sustainable resource utilization.