Transcript Forest Genetics -

Forest Genetic Resources
Working Group
Introduction for the
North American Forest Commission
Integrated Working Groups Meeting
March 3-7, 2008
Washington DC
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Mission: to encourage and promote conservation
of forest genetic resources
Objectives:
• To promote the collection, exchange, and dissemination
of information about forest genetic resources
• To promote cooperation and coordinate programs of
research, conservation, training, and exchange among
the countries of North America
• To facilitate the exchange of forest genetic resources
for purposes of conservation or research
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Membership
Jean Beaulieu
Barry Jaquish
Judy Loo
Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere
Reserve, Jalisco, 2005
F. Thomas Ledig
Ron Schmidtling
Brad St.Clair
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest,
Inyo NF, California, 2001
Javier López Upton
Cuauhtémoc Sáenz Romero
Jesús Vargas Hernández
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Operating Strategy
• Meetings every 1-2 years
• Identify tasks relevant to our
objectives and assigns a task force
• National reports to summarize forest
genetic activities in each nation
• Occasionally make recommendations
to BOA and agencies
The group has participated in
efforts to conserve a unique
variety of Monterey pine on
Guadalupe Island, Mexico
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Accomplishments
Information exchange
• Since 1961, promoted exchange of information among FGRWG
members and observers through 24 meetings and study tours
• Organized several scientific meetings including:
– Symposium on “Potential Effects of Global Warming on Silviculture
and Genetic Resources”, Morelia, Michoacán, 2004
– “Silviculture and the Conservation of Genetic Resources for
Sustainable Forest Management”, XII World Forestry Congress,
Québec, Québec, 2003
– Symposium in memory of Dr. Basilio Bermejo Velázquez on “Use and
Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources”, Jalapa, Veracruz, 2002
– North American Forest Biology Workshop, Mérida, Yucatán, 2000
– International Workshop on North American Temperate Forest
Genetic Resources, Berkeley, California, 1995
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Accomplishments
Training and promoting scientific exchange
• Published the World Directory of Forest Geneticists and Tree
Breeders (1965, 1977, 1998)
• Created database of “North American Directory of Forest
Geneticists Interested in Providing Study or Training Opportunities
in Forest Genetics or Related Disciplines” (on web site)
• Published “Manejo de Recursos Genéticos Forestales” (2nd edition)
• Provided training opportunites for 11 Mexican scientists and
students at research facilities in the United States and Canada
during past 12 years
• Conducted a training course for managers on “Seed Management and
Forest Plant Production for Conservation and Genetic Improvement”,
Guzmán, Jalisco, 2006
• Since 1999, conducting an ongoing lecture series on Conservation
Genetics at the Colegio de Postgraduados
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Accomplishments
Research
• Conducted genetic surveys of
several Mexican conifers including
Picea chihuahuana, Picea martinezii,
Picea mexicana, Pinus ayacahuite,
Pinus strobiformis, Pinus
maximartinesii, and Pinus pinceana
• Since 1997, published results of 13
collaborative research projects in
scientific journals
Picea mexicana
Picea
Piceachihuahuana
chihuahuana
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Current Activities
• 11 active tasks (summary on web site)
• Will highlight two tasks
– Translate conservation genetics lectures
into Spanish
– Evaluate potential effects of climate change
and recommend management options
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Task 47 – to publish a series of lecture notes on
forest conservation genetics in Spanish and English
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Based on class at Colegio de Postgraduados by Judy Loo
Critique and edit course notes
Expand into comprehensive text
Translate into Spanish
Publish or post on web site
Funds from BOA to help with task
Class Field Trip 2006
Judy Loo
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Task 51 – To evaluate the potential effects of
climate change on genetic adaptation of forest tree
species and populations and make recommendations
for mitigation and restoration
Activities
• Rank vulnerability of species to
climate change
– factors: dispersal ability, gene
flow, genetic structure, seed bank
persistance, phenotypic plasticity
• Individual studies of genetic
structure and response to climate
(e.g., Douglas-fir, white spruce,
Mexican pines)
Pinus hartwegii tested in climate scenarios of present (13 oC) and future (17 oC)
Centre de Foresterie des Laurentides, Quebec, Canada (Sáenz Romero & Beaulieu)
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Populations differ in adaptive traits
90
B
80
20-yr volume (m3/ha)
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
-4
-2
0
2 4 6 8
Test site MAT (°C)
10
12
Variation in response of lodgepole pine populations to climate
from Wang et al. 2006. Global Change Biology
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Matching seed sources to future climates is a critical
management option for adapting to climate change and
maintaining healthy and productive forests
40
Pop1
Productivity (m3/ha)
Pop2
Pop3
30
10
+2°C
2040
Current
20
0
-4
Population variation in Douglas-fir
provenance test
-2
0
2
4
6
8
Test site mean annual temperature (°C)
10
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Impacts on productivity
Changes in productivty (m3/ha)
70
50
30
10
local
-10 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Optimized
-30
-50
-70
2012
2038
2063
2088
2114
2139
MAT increase (°C)
from Wang et al. 2006. Global Change Biology
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Conservation of genetic diversity will be
critical to responding to climate change
Seed Banks
Conservation Plantings
Coulter pine
Brewer spruce
Forest Genetic Resources Working Group
Height
Long-term tests are important for modeling adaptive
responses and for conserving genetic resources
Δ temperature
Seed origin – Planting site
1938 ponderosa pine test