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This page gives information on the following completed EU-funded genetic conservation studies:
Completed in 2000
Oak species represent a major component of the European forest resource. They supply quality wood, stabilise forests and enhance biological richness in forest eco-systems. Despite the silvicultural and economic importance of oaks, the knowledge of their genetic diversity is poorly understood. This hampers genetic improvement programmes, decisions about seed transfers, and choice of provenances from plantations. The more the species is used to afforest agricultural lands and to enrich existing forest currently in monoculture, the more information about the genetic diversity will become important.
The aim of this project was to provide geneticists, ecologists and foresters with an integrated description of oak (Quercus petraea and Q. robur) genetic resources in the form of synthetic maps based on CpDNA polymorphism and provenance variation.
Forest Research was involved with the following activities:
Completed December 2004
Examined intra and interspecific gene flows in oaks, as mechanisms promoting genetic diversity and adaptive potential. Forest services and conservation agencies were closely involved in testing various implications of gene flow in management and conservation issues.
Forest Research involvement in OAKFLOW project
Completed in 2000
The european black poplar (populus nigra) is a unique pioneer species belonging to the riparian ecosystems. It has social and economic importance and is an ideal species for the study of conservation biology.
The aim of this project was to develop stategies for the conservation of European black poplar and its restoration in riparian ecosystems, based on the measurement of the genetic diversity in wild populations at different levels.
Forest Research was involved with the following activities:
Complete in June 2005
The scientific objectives of FRAXIGEN were to:
COST Action E28 – Completed February 2006
Project objectives:
Ongoing, due to end September 2010
EUFGIS aims at establishing a Web-based information system to serve as a documentation platform for national FGR inventories and to support practical implementation of gene conservation and sustainable forest management in Europe. The project will create a network of national focal persons in European countries to provide updated data for the information system once it has been established.
Before the information system can be developed, the major effort is to harmonize minimum requirements for dynamic gene conservation units of forest trees and develop common information standards for these units at pan-European level.
The project will also provide training on FGR documentation to national focal persons.