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© German Federal-State-Working Group "Forest Genetic Resources and Forest Seed Law" |
elaborated by the Expert-group "Genetic Monitoring" 2 German Federal-State-Working Group
"Forest Genetic Resources and Forest Seed Law"
Preliminary remarks
In the framework of the international efforts for safe-guarding biological diversity worldwide,the preservation of genetic multiplicity (resp. genetic diversity) of forest tree populations by protecting the genetic systems is of crucial importance. Genetic diversity determines adaptability and efficiency of forest trees; it is the base for the sustainable development offorests. Consequently genetic diversity is an essential prerequisite for multi-functional forestry including the source of the renewable raw material wood.
Both on the national and international level, conserving the woodlands and securing the forest
functions in natural and managed forests in a sustainable way are the objectives of several
monitoring programmes in forest ecosystems. At present however, the genetic level as the
essential base of genetic diversity is regarded rather insufficiently within the scope of such
programmes. A genetic monitoring is an essential base for securing and controlling the
sustainable management of forest stands by maintaining genetic diversity.
Results obtained from punctual and short-term case studies make obvious that natural and
anthropogenic influences can change populational-genetic processes. In order to be able to
follow these changes in the genetic systems, it is necessary to record these states repeatedly as
well as to document any progress by time series. Thus, it is urgently required to have
integrated genetic aspects as a focal point into the forest monitoring.
The "Concept for the Conservation and the Sustainable Utilization of Forest Genetic
Resources in the Federal Republic of Germany" as revised in the year 2000 and authenticated
by the Forest Chief Conference (PAUL et al. 2000) postulates the development of
fundamentals for a genetic monitoring in the forest. This action is regarded as an essential
step for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity which claims in its
paragraph 7b for the surveillance of the distinct constituents of biological diversity
(ANONYMOUS 1993).
Objectives
Genetic monitoring aims at the registration of the status and the development of genetic
systems by means of criteria, indicators, and verificators. It contributes essentially to the
estimation and valuation of the influence of factors which affect the genetic system of forests.
By means of criteria and indictors, it is possible to formulate examples, plan measures and
control the success. Discerning changes in the genetic system which become only visible in
succeeding forest generations on superior monitoring levels (e.g. stand structure, vitality, and
natural regeneration), genetic monitoring provides a decisive contribution as an early warning
and controlling system for changes in the ecosystem.
The results of the genetic monitoring subserve forest practice, nature protection, consultation
of politics, science as well as the exchange of information with other monitoring systems.
This monitoring complies with the demands of the Convention on Biological Diversity [CBD;
Earth Summit, Rio Declaration 1992] (ANONYMOUS 1993).
Realization
Genetic monitoring includes the periodical, randomized or plot-specific inspection of genetic
structures and characteristics of the genetic system (e.g. population size, flowering, and sexual
system).
Criteria of populational-genetic processes should be gathered in view of defined indicators by
verificators (cf. Appendix 1).
Genetic monitoring must involve both managed as well as unmanaged forests. The choice of
the tree species is carried out according to their importance concerning usability, existence,
and indicator capacity. It is recommended to work first on such tree species for which genetic
markers are available for routine serial tests.
For reasons of comparability, genetic monitoring should be performed according to tree
species-specific uniform methods, particularly regarding sampling strategy, inventory
procedures, analyzing techniques, documentation, and data evaluation (cf. Appendix 2). The
data are to be recorded in such a way that will be useful in simulation processes.
The scientific-technical conditions for implementing such a genetic monitoring are preexisting
in the German Federal and State forest research institutions. The Federal-State-
Working Group "Forest Genetic Resources and Forest Seed Law" based on the "Concept for
the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Forest Genetic Resources in the Federal
Republic of Germany" as published in 2000 (cf. PAUL et al. 2000) is responsible for the
coordination of the genetic monitoring programme.
Implementation
For realizing the genetic monitoring concept, it may be drawn on
Reporting
The actual state of the genetic monitoring is documented in the periodical reports of the
Federal-State-Working Group "Forest Genetic Resources and Forest Seed Law" and the
forest environmental control of the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and
Consumer Protection [BMELV, formerly BMVEL].
Application of the results
The results of the genetic monitoring supply information on the current state of the genetic
system of the forest tree species under surveillance. Moreover, they are useful for
1Original German version"Konzept zum genetischen Monitoring für Waldbaumarten in der
Bundesrepublik Deutschland" translated into English and revised in February 2006 by Werner D. Maurer;
2 Members of the Expert-group "Genetic Monitoring", cf. below
References
Anonymous (1993):
Gesetz zum Übereinkommen über die biologische Vielfalt. Bundesgesetzblatt BGBl II,
S. 1741 und Übereinkommen über die biologische Vielfalt. BGBl. II, S. 1742-1772.
Paul, M.; Hinrichs, T.; Janssen, A.; Schmitt, H.P.; Soppa, B.; Stephan, B.R. & Dörflinger, H. (2000):
Concept for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Forest Genetic Resource in the
Federal Republic of Germany (in collaboration with W. Arenhövel, A. Franke, R. Kätzel, J. Kleinschmit, H.-J Muhs, E. Natzke, W. Ruetz, W. Schilling & U. Tabel). Sächsische Landesanstalt für Forsten [LAF] Pirna-Graupa, Hrsg., ISBN 3-932967-25-9, 66 pages.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Members of the BLAG-Expert-group "Genetic Monitoring"
(in alphabetical order)
Dr. Aikaterini Dounavi (since 2002), FVA Baden-Württemberg, Freiburg i. B.
Dr. Karl Gebhardt (since 2002), Hessen-Forst, FIV Hann. Münden
Dr. Joachim Heyder, LÖBF Nordrhein-Westfalen, Forstgenbank Arnsberg
FOR Albrecht Franke, FVA Baden-Württemberg, Freiburg i. B. (coordination up to 2001)
Dr. Alwin Janssen (up to 2002), Hessen-Forst, FIV Hann. Münden
Dr. Ralf Kätzel, Landesforstanstalt Eberswalde
Dr. Monika Konnert, ASP Teisendorf
Dr. Werner Maurer, FAWF Rheinland-Pfalz, Trippstadt (coordination since 2001)
Prof. Dr. Florian Scholz, BFH Großhansdorf
Prof. Dr. Erwin Hussendörfer, Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences)
Weihenstephan, Fachbereich Wald und Forstbereich, Freising
Prof. Dr. Michael Köhl, formerly TU Dresden, now Universität Hamburg,
Department of Wood Science, Hamburg
Trippstadt, 30. October 2004; revised 18. February 2006
sgd. Dr. Werner Maurer, Coordinator
Correspondence
fon: x49-(0)6306-911 134; fax: x49-(0)6306-911 200
e-mail: werner.maurer@wald-rlp.de
Appendix 1 – Criteria, indicators and verificators for genetic monitoring
in forests
Appendix 2 – Methodical approaches
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