European Forest Genetic Resources Programme

Jarkko KoskelaEUFORGEN CoordinatorBioversity International

Cuenca, Spain, 3 November 2014

Outline

HistoryHighlights of achievementsFuture

“Forest genetic resources (FGR) are the heritable materials maintained within and among tree and other woody plant species that are of actual or potential economic, environmental, scientific or societal value”

FAO 2014. State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources.

History

Strasbourg Resolution 2 (Conservation of forest genetic resources) of the 1st FOREST EUROPE Conference (1990)

called for “a functional but voluntary instrument of international cooperation” to promote and coordinate: 1) in situ and ex situ conservation of genetic

diversity of European forests, 2) exchange of reproductive materials, and 3) monitor progress in these fields.

History

Preparatory phase 1991-1993– Follow-up committee of four experts (Finland,

France, Poland and Portugal)– Inputs from other European experts as well as

from Bioversity International (then called International Plant Genetic Resources Institute), FAO and the European Commission

– Operational recommendations and a proposal was endorsed by the Helsinki Conference in 1993

EUFORGEN became operational in October 1994

Goal & areas of work

The overall goal of EUFORGEN is to promote the conservation and appropriate use of forest genetic resources as an integral part of sustainable forest management in Europe.

Areas of work 1. Conservation of FGR2. Use of FGR3. Making available information on FGR4. Creating awareness on the importance of genetic

resources

Structure

Member countries (25) (Nov 2014)Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom

National Coordinators -> Steering CommitteeNational experts provide inputs to the EUFORGEN work (a pool of approx. 100 experts)Secretariat at Bioversity International

Phase I (1995-1999) networks– Picea abies– Populus nigra– Quercus suber– Noble Hardwoods– Social Broadleaves

Phase II (2000-2004) networks– Conifers– Populus nigra– Mediterranean Oaks– Noble Hardwoods– Temperate Oaks and

Beech

Mode of operation

Mode of operation

Phase III (2005-2009) networks– Conifers– Scattered

Broadleaves– Stand-forming

Broadleaves– Forest Management

Phase IV (2010-2014)– Working groups with

specific tasks and deadlines

– Workshops

Technical Guidelines

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)Field map (A. campestre)Black alder (Alnus glutinosa)Chestnut (Castanea sativa)Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior)Oriental sweet gum (Liquidambar orientalis)Wild apple and pear (Malus sylvestris, Pyrus pyraster)Black poplar (Populus nigra)Wild cherry (Prunus avium)European white oaks (Quercuspetraea, Q. robur)Service tree (Sorbus domestica)Wild service tree (S. torminalis)Lime (Tilia cordata)White elm (Ulmus laevis)

Silver fir (Abies alba)Norway spruce (Picea abies)Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra)Aleppo and Brutia pines (Pinus halepensis / P. brutia)Black pine (P. nigra)Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster)Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea)Scots pine (P. sylvestris)

Distribution mapsScots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Sessile oak (Quercus petraea)

www.euforgen.org

EUFGIS Portal and database

Geo-referenced data on genetic conservation units of forest trees in Europe

Pan-European minimum requirements for the genetic conservation units

Common data standards (unit, tree populations)

Data are provided and managed on-line by National Focal Points

Genetic conservation units

3164 units, 100 tree species, 3972 populations, 34 countries

Genetic conservation units

Natural or man-made tree populations that are typically located in forests managed for multiple uses, protected areas or seed stands.

Dynamic conservation of genetic diversity

Other EUFORGEN achievements

Contributions to international reporting efforts

Other publications and reports

Other EUFORGEN achievements

Forthcoming reports of the working groups

• Pan-European genetic conservation strategy for forest trees

• Genetic monitoring of conservation units of forest trees

• Use and transfer of forest reproductive material in the context of climate change

• Policies relevant to FGR conservation and use• FGR conservation and climate change

FUTURE

Phase V (2015-2019) objectives:1. Collate, maintain and disseminate reliable information

on forest genetic resources in Europe2. Coordinate and monitor the conservation of forest

genetic resources in Europe3. Develop guidelines and analyses on topics and issues

relevant for the use of forest genetic resources in Europe.

Mode of operation• Working groups• Workshops• Network of EUFGIS National Focal Points

FUTURE

Continued implementation of Strasbourg Resolution 2 and other relevant FOREST EUROPE commitments

EUFORGEN also contributes to the implementation of CBD commitments and the Global Plan of Action for Forest Genetic Resources

www.euforgen.org http://portal.eufgis.org