Forest Genetic Resources Working Group

1. Forest Genetic Resources Working Group Introduction for the North American Forest Commission Integrated Working Groups Meeting March 3-7, 2008 Washington DC

2. 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

3. 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 Javier López Upton Cuauhtémoc Sáenz Romero Jesús Vargas Hernández Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Inyo NF, California, 2001

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 chihuahuana Picea chihuahuana

8. 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

9. Forest Genetic Resources Working Group • Task 47 – to publish a series of lecture notes on forest conservation genetics in Spanish and English • 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 Judy Loo Class Field Trip 2006

10. 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)

11. Forest Genetic Resources Working Group Populations differ in adaptive traits Variation in response of lodgepole pine populations to climate from Wang et al. 2006. Global Change Biology

12. Current +2°C 2040 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 Population variation in Douglas-fir provenance test

13. Forest Genetic Resources Working Group Impacts on productivity from Wang et al. 2006. Global Change Biology

14. 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

15. Height Δ temperature Seed origin – Planting site Forest Genetic Resources Working Group Long-term tests are important for modeling adaptive responses and for conserving genetic resources 1938 ponderosa pine test