Measures for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Forest Genetic Resources
The most important measures for the conservation and sustainable utilization of forest genetic resources are:
- Identification and evaluation of existing forest genetic resources (inventories, phenological and genetic characterization)
- In situ-measures
(natural regeneration, conservation of stands and individual trees, sowing and planting in the forest) - Ex situ-measures
(seed orchards, clone collections, storage of seed and pollen, generative and vegetative reproduction) - Conservation within the forest management
(regeneration, silvicultural treatment, forest harvesting) - Common research projects.
Within the framework of multifunctional forestry, the sustainable utilization of forest genetic resources serves for the functions of use, protection and recreation. Besides the location and the treatment in terms of forestry, it is a high biological diversity of forests that forms a crucial basis for their performance. It is primarily genetic adaptability and adaptation that give forests the stability which is necessary for all uses. Especially, they ensure the reactions of forests through resistance to biotic and abiotic damaging factors. Within this context, climate change demands the imposition of stricter requirements.
Biological diversity in the form of diversity of species and within species, i.e. diversity of different populations and genetic diversity within populations, affects a broad spectrum of forestry uses.
- Selection of suited species and origins for wood production and other forest products
- Seed production and use of wild saplings for the production of origin-identified, genetically varied and high-quality reproductive material
- Species conservation of rare species and threatened populations of forest woody plants
- Promotion of the protective and recreational functions of forests
- Forest plant breeding
- Provisions for potential use in the future.