Conservation of forest genetic

resources in Europe in the context of

climate change

Michele Bozzano
EUFORGEN
Bioversity International

Need for seed Nordic forests in coming decades - Son, 8 September 2014
European Forest Genetic Resources
Programme
Established in 1994 as a pan-European
implementation mechanism of Strasbourg
Resolution 2 (Conservation of forest
genetic resources) 1st FOREST
EUROPE Ministerial Conference (1990)
Funded by member countries (25)
National Coordinators Steering
Committee
Working groups with specific tasks and
deadlines
Activities coordinated by Secretariat
(hosted by Bioversity International)

www.euforgen.org/about-euforgen/
 EUFORGEN representatives from
Nordic Countries during Phase IV
National Coordinators and Focal Points
Denmark: Ditte Christina Olrik
Finland: Mari Rusanen
Iceland: Throstur Eysteinsson
Norway: Tor Myking
Sweden: Sanna Black-Samuelsson

Nominated exerts
Denmark: Ditte Christina Olrik, Lars Graudal, Erik Kjaer
Finland: Mari Rusanen, Leena Yrjana, Sanna Paanukoski
Norway: Mari Mette Tollefsrud, Tor Myking, Kjersti
Bakkeb Fjellstad
Sweden: Sanna Black-Samuelsson
EUFORGEN outputs

Conservation strategies
& methods
Technical guidelines
Distribution maps
Databases
Publications & reports
 EUFORGEN Phase IV 2010-2014

EUFORGEN operated five working groups on

the following topics:
Development of pan-European genetic conservation
strategies;
Development of genetic monitoring methods for genetic
conservation units;
Development of guidelines for the use and transfer of
forest reproductive material;
Incorporation of conservation and use of forest genetic
resources into national forest programmes and other
relevant policies and strategies;
Management of genetic conservation units in the face of
climate change.
 EUFGIS - European Information
System on Forest Genetic Resources

Geo-referenced data on genetic

conservation units of forest trees in Europe
http://portal.eufgis.org/

Pan-European minimum requirements for

genetic conservation units of forest trees
http://portal.eufgis.org/fileadmin/templates/eufgis.org/docu
ments/EUFGIS_Minimum_requirements.pdf

Common data standards (unit, tree

population)
http://portal.eufgis.org/fileadmin/templates/eufgis.org/docu
ments/EUFGIS_DataStandards.pdf
EUFGIS contributing countries
(as of September 2014)

3150 units

99 tree
species

3948
populations

34 countries
 EUFGIS Data providers from Nordic
Countries

Denmark: Ditte Christina Olrik

Finland: Leena Yrjn
Iceland: Thrstur Eysteinsson
Norway: Arne Steffenrem
Sweden: Patrik Olsson
EUFGIS data (as of September 2014)

Denmark (73)
Finland (43)
Iceland (1)
Norway (23)
Sweden (14)
Selected EUFGIS case studies

Schueler, S., Falk, W., Koskela, J., Lefvre, F.,

Bozzano, M., Hubert, J., Kraigher, H., Longauer, R. and
Olrik, D. C. (2014), Vulnerability of dynamic genetic
conservation units of forest trees in Europe to
climate change. Global Change Biology, 20: 1498
1511. doi: 10.1111/gcb.12476
Lefvre, F., Koskela, J., Hubert, J., Kraigher, H.,
Longauer, R., Olrik, D.C., Schler, S., Bozzano, M.,
Alizoti, P., Bakys, R., Baldwin, C., Ballian, D., Black-
Samuelsson, S., Bednarova, D., Bordcs, S., Collin, E.,
De Cuyper, B., De Vries, S.M.G., Eysteinsson, T., Frdl,
J., Haverkamp, M., Ivankovic, M., Konrad, H., Koziol, C.,
Maaten, T., Notivol Paino, E., ztrk, H., Pandeva, I.D.,
Parnuta, G., Pilipovi, A., Postolache, D., Ryan, C.,
Steffenrem, A., Varela, M.C., Vessella, F.,
Volosyanchuk, R.T., Westergren, M., Wolter, F., Yrjn,
L. and Zarina, I. 2013. Dynamic conservation of forest
genetic resources in 33 European countries.
Conservation Biology 27(2): 373384.
 Vulnerability of dynamic genetic
conservation units of forest trees in
Europe to climate change
Abstract
A transnational network of genetic conservation units for forest trees was recently documented in Europe
aiming at the conservation of evolutionary processes and the adaptive potential of natural or man-made
tree populations. In this study, we quantified the vulnerability of individual conservation units and the
whole network to climate change using climate favourability models and the estimated velocity of climate
change. Compared to the overall climate niche of the analysed target species populations at the warm
and dry end of the species niche are underrepresented in the network. However, by 2100, target species
in 3365 % of conservation units, mostly located in southern Europe, will be at the limit or outside the
species current climatic niche as demonstrated by favourabilities below required model sensitivities of
95%. The highest average decrease in favourabilities throughout the network can be expected for
coniferous trees although they are mainly occurring within units in mountainous landscapes for which we
estimated lower velocities of change. Generally, the species-specific estimates of favourabilities showed
only low correlations to the velocity of climate change in individual units, indicating that both vulnerability
measures should be considered for climate risk analysis. The variation in favourabilities among target
species within the same conservation units is expected to increase with climate change and will likely
require a prioritization among co-occurring species.
The present results suggest that there is a strong need to intensify monitoring efforts and to develop
additional conservation measures for populations in the most vulnerable units. Also, our results call for
continued transnational actions for genetic conservation of European forest trees, including the
establishment of dynamic conservation populations outside the current species distribution ranges within
European assisted migration schemes.
 Vulnerability of dynamic genetic
conservation units of forest trees in
Europe to climate change
Comparisons of 86
tree species show
that species in the
units of
mountainous
habitats are less
endangered than
units with lowland
species

Vulnerability of two selected target species within the genetic conservation units. The figures relate the current
favourability of a unit for the respective species to its favourability in the future. The size of the circle shows the
expected velocity of change. Thresholds are given for a required sensitivity of 95% (black dashed lines) and the
prevalence observed in the models (grey continuous lines). Populations in the upper-right corner are less
endangered because they match the climatic conditions very well, whereas tree populations in the lower left
corner are expected to have experienced stressful climatic borders already in the past and might thus contain local
adaptations. Tree populations in the left upper border will likely have better conditions in the future than today.
 Dynamic conservation of forest genetic
resources in 33 European countries
Abstract : Dynamic conservation of forest genetic resources (FGR) meansmaintaining the genetic
diversity of trees within an evolutionary process and allowing generation turnover in the forest.We
assessed the network of forests areas managed for the dynamic conservation of FGR (conservation
units) across Europe (33 countries).
On the basis of information available in the European Information System on FGR (EUFGIS Portal),
species distribution maps, and environmental stratification of the continent, we developed
ecogeographic indicators, a marginality index, and demographic indicators to assess and monitor
forest conservation efforts. The pan-European network has 1967 conservation units, 2737
populations of target trees, and 86 species of target trees. We detected a poor coincidence between
FGR conservation and other biodiversity conservation objectives within this network. We identified 2
complementary strategies: a species-oriented strategy in which national conservation networks are
specifically designed for key target species and a site-oriented strategy in which multiple-target units
include so-called secondary species conserved within a few sites. The network is highly unbalanced
in terms of species representation, and 7 key target species are conserved in 60% of the
conservation units. We performed specific gap analyses for 11 tree species, including assessment of
ecogeographic, demographic, and genetic criteria. For each species, we identified gaps, particularly
in the marginal parts of their distribution range, and found multiple redundant conservation units in
other areas.
The Mediterranean forests and to a lesser extent the boreal forests are underrepresented. Monitoring
the conservation efficiency of each unit remains challenging; however, <2% of the conserved
populations seem to be at risk of extinction. On the basis of our results, we recommend combining
species-oriented and site-oriented strategies.
 EUFORGEN WG 1
Genetic Conservation Strategies
Started in June 2011
Members: Sven de Vries (WG Leader); Murat Alan; Michele
Bozzano; Vaclav Burianek; Eric Collin; Joan Cottrell; Mladen
Ivankovic; Colin Kelleher; Jarkko Koskela; Peter Rotach;
Lorenzo Vietto; Leena Yrjana

Email contributors (from Nordic Countries):

Denmark: Lars Graudal; Norway: Tor Myking and Mari Mette
Tollefsrud; Sweden: Sanna Black-Samuelsson

Report under finalization

 Targeted level of genetic
conservation
The working group defined the targeted level of genetic conservation based
on the country borders and environmental zones. This approach is in line
with the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) and FOREST EUROPE
commitments, i.e. each country is responsible for managing biological
diversity and forest sustainability within its territory. In addition, it is
reasonable to assume that tree populations growing within a given
environmental zone are adapted to the prevailing local conditions. The
working group therefore considered that by including one conservation unit
per country and per environmental zone an adequate amount of adaptive
diversity would be captured within the distribution range of each species. The
working group developed its draft report based on the environmental zones
of Europe as identified by Metzger et al. (2005) and then prepared the final
report based on the new environmental stratification developed by Metzger et
al. (2013).(A high-resolution bioclimate map of the world: a unifying
framework for global biodiversity research and monitoring Metzger, M. J.,
Bunce, R. G. H., Jongman, R. H. G., Sayre, R., Trabucco, A. & Zomer, R. 1
May 2013 In : Global Ecology and Biogeography. 22, 5, p. 630-638)
Number of country x zone areas,
with units
Environmental
Countries Zones Country x Env. Zone

Without

Without

Without
50 km2
Pilot species

Total >
With

With
Units

Units
Total

units

units

Total

units

units
With
20 5 69 40

Widely distributed and stand-

Abies alba 12 8 5 0 29

Fagus sylvatica 31 18 13 5 5 0 102 37 65

forming species Picea abies 26 18 8 5 4 1 75 35 40
Pinus brutia 6 3 3 6 4 2 19 5 14

Pinus halepensis 5 4 1 6 3 3 18 4 14
Pinus nigra 15 10 5 7 4 3 61 21 40

Pinus sylvestris 33 17 16 6 5 1 97 33 64

Quercus petraea 36 21 15 7 4 3 125 32 93

41 15 26 7 4 3 147 24 123
scattere locally distributed and

Fraxinus excelsior
scattered

38 7 149
species

9 29 4 3 12 137
Widely

Populus nigra
Populus tremula 41 3 38 6 3 3 140 5 135

Sorbus torminalis 32 10 22 7 3 4 124 12 112

common
species species

25 7 84 76
Restricted-
distribution

5 20 3 4 8
Castanea sativa
locally

9 4 5 5 2 3 24 7 17
Pinus cembra
d
Environmental zoning of Europe based on : Metzger MJ,
Bunce RGH, Jongman RHG, Sayre R, Trabucco A, Zomer R,
2013. A high resolution bioclimate map of the world: a unifying
framework for global
biodiversity research.
Global Ecology and
Biogeography, 22: 630-638.
Revised environmental
zoning of Europe
aggregate the four scales
of the aridity index
occurring in Europe

The working group concluded that the new environmental stratification with 14 zones in Europe, as presented by Metzger et al.
(2013), is too detailed for the purpose of developing the pan-European genetic conservation strategy for forest trees. To make it
better reflect the broad-scale adaptation of forest trees, the working group decided to further aggregate the four scales of the aridity
index occurring in Europe (xeric, dry, mesic and moist) into two scales (dry and moist). The five scales of temperature occurring in
Europe (extremely cold, cold, cool, warm and hot) were kept as presented by Metzger et al. (2013), with the exception of the Arctic
areas which were merged into the extremely cold areas. The modified aggregation resulted in a total of eight environmental zones for
Europe. The legend shows with the alphabets how the original zones of Metzger et al. (2013) were aggregated into the new ones by
the working group.
Picea abies
Picea abies
 Overview of Picea abies DCUs
in Nordic countries and gaps

Number of
Total area conservation
Global Environmental species (km2) units (as of 13
Zone name In the country March 2014) Remarks
Extremily cold -
Norway ABCDF 30496 3 -
Cold and moist - EG 82346 2 -

Cool and moist - J 466 0 GAP

Extremily cold -
Sweden ABCDF 62971 0 GAP
Cold and moist - EG 269169 1 -
Cool and dry - HI 2892 0 GAP

Extremily cold -
Finland ABCDF 57714 2 -
Cold and moist - EG 243847 7 -
 EUFORGEN Working Group on FGR
Conservation and Climate Change
Started in June 2013
Members: Andreas Rudow (Switzerland); Colin Kelleher
(Ireland); Czeslaw Koziol (Poland); Gaye Kandemir (Turkey);
Josef Frydl (Czech Republic); Lorenzo Vietto (Italy); Mirko
Liesebach (Germany); Mladen Ivanovic (Croatia); Pablo
Gonzalez Goicoechea (Spain); Peter Zhelev Stoyanov
(Bulgaria); Sven de Vries (Netherlands); Virgilijus Baliuckas
(Lithuania);
Email contributors (from Nordic Countries): Denmark Lars
Gaudal; Finland Leena Yrjana ; NorwayTor Myking and
Mari Mette Tollefsrud ; Sweden Sanna Black-Samuelsson
Report under finalization
Tasks of the EUFORGEN WG on FGR
Conservation and Climate Change

The purpose of the WG was to further

develop genetic conservation methods (both
in situ and ex situ) in the context of climate
change, in particular:
Review relevant outputs of the previous EUFORGEN
Networks
Review predictions of climate change and their
consequences for conservation of FGR
Review findings on the most threatened tree species and
populations
Develop recommendations for management of dynamic
conservation units (DCUs)
Develop complementary ex situ approaches
 EUFORGEN WG on FGR Conservation and Climate Change
State of Knowledge

Uncertainty!
Dependent on biology of the species e.g.
population sizes, dispersal ability.
Reduction of diversity in particular in
southern regions.
Potential bottlenecks in northern
migrating populations.
 EUFORGEN WG on FGR Conservation and Climate Change
Recommendations for
Management of Existing DCUs
Monitoring vitality and natural
regeneration
Promote active management as first step
Favour units with vertical and ecological
buffers
Decision cascade tool
 EUFORGEN WG on FGR Conservation and Climate Change
Recommendations for
Identifying Additional DCUs
Select units of marginal and peripheral
populations
Add units of newly established or migrated
populations
Monitor additional units (especially genetic
monitoring)
FGR observatory facilitate communication
between researchers and managers
 EUFORGEN WG on FGR Conservation and Climate Change
Recommendations for development of
complementary ex situ approaches
Prioritize Red list
Establishment of new units based on
adequate seed collection
Dynamic ex situ conservation assisted
migration
Static ex situ measures - where no
alternatives exist.
Monitoring.
 EUFORGEN WG on FGR Conservation and Climate Change
Conclusions

FGR are likely to be reduced because of

Climate Change.
marginal populations in southern areas are
particularly at risk.
units in lowland will face faster changes
climatic changes are likely to result in altered
species ranges and species composition.
There is very little empirical data available.
Thus, best practice can only be based on
predictions and estimates.
 EUFORGEN WG on FGR Conservation and Climate Change
Overall Recommendations

Continuation of EUFGIS to identify gaps in regions

and species
A resolution from FOREST EUROPE is needed to
record the movement of the material between
countries for the conservation purposes; this
includes different types of assisted migration.
A decision cascade tool should be developed and
used in the future.
Research is needed to assess the potential effects
and impacts of assisted migration
 Global Plan of Action for
conservation, sustainable use and
development of FGR

Based on key findings of the Report on

the State of the Worlds FGR and
National reports from more than 80
countries
Strategic framework intended to guide
and catalyze action at multiple levels
27 Strategic Priorities for action under 4
priority areas

http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/174909/icode/
 GPA Priority Areas

1. Improving the availability of and access to

information on FGR
2. In situ and ex situ conservation of FGR
3. Sustainable use, development and
management of FGR
Strategic Priority 13: Seed management to respond to
climate change
Strategic Priority 15: FGR & Climate Change
4. Priority Area 4: Policies, institutions and
capacity building
Strategic Priority 23: Seed movement
 Global Plan of Action for
conservation, sustainable use and
development of FGR

provides a framework to highlight and respond

to the serious challenges as well as the
opportunities facing FGR.
The degree success depends on level of
commitment, good governance and adequate
human and financial resources.
actions and strategies to conserve and
sustainably use FGR requires coordination
across national borders.
State of the Worlds Forest Genetic
Resources report

based on
information
provided by 86
countries
outcomes from
regional and
subregional
consultations
commissioned
thematic studies

http://www.fao.org/forestry/fgr/64582/en/
 Thematic Studies (TS) to support
development of State of the Worlds
Forest Genetic Resources
Indicators of forest genetic diversity, erosion and vulnerability
Understanding genetic diversity of tropical species in natural
forests
New Technologies and approaches to support conservation
of FGR
Use and transfer of FGR
FGR role in adaptation to biotic and abiotic factors, with
a focus on climate change
Use of FGR in decentralised development for food security,
poverty reduction and livelihood improvement
Genetic considerations in ecosystem restoration using
native tree species
Effects of management practices on forest genetic diversity
Trends in management of FGR by the private/corporate
sector
www.fao.org/forestry/fgr/71306/en/
 Thematic Studies published as
special issue of Forest Ecology and
Management
Using global to local genetic diversity indicators for evaluating the state of
evolutionary potential in forest tree species Authors: Lars Graudal, et al. available -
open access http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112714002825
The management of tree genetic resources and the livelihoods of rural
communities in the tropics: non-timber forest products, smallholder agroforestry
practices and tree commodity crops Authors: Ian Dawson et al.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112714000231
Role of forest genetic resources in responding to biotic and abiotic factors in the
context of anthropogenic climate change Authors: Rene Alfaro et al.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037811271400231X
Genetic Effects of Forest Management Practices: Global Synthesis and
Perspectives Authors: Wickneswari Ratnam, et al.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112714003697
Genetic considerations in ecosystem restoration using native tree species
Authors: Evert Thomas, et al.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112714004356
Utilization and transfer of forest genetic resources: a global review Authors:
Jarkko Koskela, et al,
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037811271400437X
Recent innovations in ex situ preservation of forest species, with special
reference to trees Authors: Hugh Pritchard et
alhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112714004848
 The role of forest genetic resources in
responding to biotic and abiotic factors in
the context of anthropogenic climate
change
Ren Alfaro, Bruno Fady ,Giovanni Giuseppe
Vendramin, Ian Dawson, Richard A. Fleming,
Cuauhtmoc Senz-Romero, Roberto A. Lindig-
Cisneros, Trevor Murdock, Barbara Vinceti, Carlos
Manuel Navarro Tore Skrppa, Giulia Baldinelli, Yousry
A. El-Kassaby, Judy Loo

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037811271400231X
TS Role of FGR in Adaptation to Biotic and Abiotic Factors in a
Changing Climate
Conclusions (1 of 3)
Capacity for resilience and ecosystem stability are
required to maintain ecosystem services over space and
time.
Tree species generally contain high genetic diversity, which
provides an insurance against future environmental change,
providing capacity to evolve and supports the persistence of
natural forest stands
Natural genetic variation might not be enough to allow
natural forest populations to face the climate of the
close future. Then, active management such as assisted
migration would be needed to realign the genotypes to their
suitable environments.
TS Role of FGR in Adaptation to Biotic and Abiotic Factors in a
Changing Climate
Conclusions (2 of 3)
high genetic diversity does not guarantee that tree
species will be able to successfully meet every
future challenges. Crucial to monitor the
adaptation as climate change progresses and to
intervene with efforts to support adaptation where
needed.
Efforts should be dedicated to conserve local and
rare populations. Local populations may be
adapted to particular conditions where others of
the same species are not.
New approaches and flexible solutions are needed
to allow the more effective transfer of germplasm
across national borders.
TS Role of FGR in Adaptation to Biotic and Abiotic Factors in a
Changing Climate
Conclusions (3 of 3)

Policies and regulations will need to be

developed or modified :

Regulations will need to be developed in coming years to

meet the requirements of the Nagoya protocol. It will be
important to ensure that these regulations will have the
intended effect of actively promoting increased
research on, access to, and exchange of FGR.

National policies defining seed zones will need to be

modified to allow the assisted migration of genetic
material within countries and across country boundaries
in order to respond to the speed of climate change.
 Genetic considerations in ecosystem
restoration using native tree species

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112714004356
 Genetic considerations in ecosystem
restoration using native tree species

Still common to measure the success of

restoration in terms of the number of
seedlings survival
A more holistic approach is needed to
evaluate the success of restoration in
establishing tree populations resilience in the
long term.
There is a need for suitable indicators to
monitor success.
 Thank you

www.euforgen.org http://portal.eufgis.org