conservation of forest genetic germplasm

1. DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGIES
 Forest Genetic Resources: Forest Genetic Resources are the resources which include the
genetic variation in trees of potential or present benefit to the human beings (FAO, 1989).
 This forest genetic resources is also defined individually as forest, as genetic and also as
resources.
 Forest Genetic Resource is defined as the heritable materials maintained within and among
tree and other woody plants species that are of actual or potential economic,
environmental, scientific or social values.
 Forest: It denotes a stand, population or landscape of trees which includes other associated
woody plants.

2.  Genetic: It refers to variation of genetic origin and variation of genes at different levels
which include the following
1) Variation between species (Species Variation)
2) Variation between population within species (Population Variation)
3) Variation between individual trees within population (Tree variation)
 Resources: It refers to the use of genetic variation which is considered to be of potential
value to the human both at present and in the near future

3. CHARACTERISTICS OF FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES
 Forest Genetic Resources are long lived and develop their own natural mechanism to
maintain high levels of genetic variation within the species.
 Most Forest Genetic Resources have high rates of out crossing and have the capacity to
disperse the pollen on the long distance.
 Most Forest Genetic Resources have several dispersal mechanisms which help to transfer
the seed to various distances and help to spread the biological diversity.
 The natural out crossing mechanism coupled with the native environment enable forest tree
species to evolve the most genetically diverse organisms.
 The chromosomes and DNAs of Forest Genetic Resources are generally large and seemingly
inexplicable differences and variations in chromosome number, ploidy levels and genome
size both among trees and between trees and other organisms

4.  Whole genome duplication which is otherwise polyploidization is also one of the
characteristics features of most Forest Genetic Resources which lead to drastic increase in
species richness.
 Some of the species in Forest Genetic Resources have longevity which results in persistence
over millions of years as evidenced by Ginkgo biloba and Wollemia nobilis (the species
evolved 61 million years ago).
 Forest Genetic Resources are larger in sizes which include the biggest and tallest organisms
in the plant. Example : Sequoia sempervirens (150 m tall and 530 tonnes of weight) ,
Eucalyptus regnans (100 m height).
 Another important characteristics of Forest Genetic Resources is that, it exhibits diverse
breeding and reproductive system due to the presence of monoecious, dioecious,
hermaphroditic and polygamous.

5.  The Forest Genetic Resources exhibit higher level of species diversity which included
approximately 8000 to 100000 tree species and have been described and currently accepted
as valid and unique species diversity. Similarly Forest Genetic Resources have characteristics
features of within species diversity (intraspecific diversity and expressed at various levels).

6. IMPORTANCE OF FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES
 Forest Genetic Resources are an excellent biological resources and provide wide range of direct and
indirect benefits to the society and played a significant role in improving the socio economic status
of the people.
 More than 25% of the world’s population (1.6 billion people) rely on the forest resources for their
livelihood.
 Play a vital role providing the raw material resources of various wood based industries like timber,
pulp and paper and biomass industries and contributes significantly towards the trade of various
forest products.
 The Forest Genetic Resources have a very prominent role in meeting food, fuel, fibre and fodder
needs of the local people and the associated livestock development.
 Forest Genetic Resources are rich source of medicinal value and contribute significantly due to the
growth and development of medicinal systems like Siddha and ayurvedic system.

7.  The Forest Genetic Resources provided wide range of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and
provide income earning opportunities for the rural women, thus contribute to women
empowerment and gender equality.
 Forest Genetic Resources have also played an extremely important role in supporting
agricultural production through agroforestry systems by providing shelter, shade, and
fertility improvement and reduce the erosion and mitigating the negative impacts of floods.
 The Forest Genetic Resources provide wide variety of environmental services like water
augmentation, carbon sequestration, soil fertility amelioration and maintenance of
ecological and ecosystem processes.

8. FACTORS AFFECTING FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES
I. Conversion of forest for agriculture and allied activities
II. Conversion of forest for industrial plantations
III. Increasing demand for energy
IV. Unsustainable harvest and utilization
V. Growing cattle population
VI. Climate change
VII. Climate impact on species and ecosystem
VIII. Epidemic status of pest and diseases
IX. Change in the fire regimes
X. Invasive species
XI. Genetic pollution

9. CONSERVATION OF FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES
I. In-situ conservation: It means conservation in the natural, original place or position. It
includes conservation of plants and animals in their native ecosystem where they naturally
occur. This is commonly practiced for wild flora and fauna and not to the domesticated
plants and animals. This type of conservation is aimed at protection and preservation of
land races, wild relatives, wild forms etc.
 Eg: National Parks, Sanctuaries, National monument, Cultural landscape, Biosphere reserve
etc.

10.  National Park: It is an area dedicated to conserve the scenery, natural objects and the wildlife
therein. In National parks, all private rights are nonexistent and all forestry operations and other
alternatives such as grazing of domesticated animals are prohibited. However the general public can
enter into the National Parks for observation and study purpose. The tourism is also allowed in
certain parts provided that it is not disturbing the animals. In India, 103 National Parks are
established which serve the purpose of in-situ conservation.
 Wildlife Sanctuary: It is an area dedicated to protect the wildlife but it considers the conservation of
species only and also the boundary of it is not limited by state legislation. In sanctuary, hunting or
capturing of any species of birds and mammals is prohibited except by or under the control of the
highest authority in the forest department responsible for the management of sanctuary. Private
ownership, forestry and other practices are allowed to the extent that these activities do not
adversely affect the wildlife. In India, there are 531 wild life sanctuaries which act as a major in-situ
conservation areas.

11.  Biosphere Reserve: It is an area created to conserve the biological diversity and genetic integrity of
plants, animals and microorganisms in their totality as part of the natural ecosystem to ensure
perpetuation and unhindered evolution of the living organism.