conservation of forest genetic germplasm.pptx

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 Conversion of forest for agriculture and allied activities Conversion of forest for industrial plantations Increasing demand for energy Unsustainable harvest and utilization Growing cattle population Climate change Climate impact on species and ecosystem Epidemic status of pest and diseases Change in the fire regimes Invasive species Genetic pollution

9. CONSERVATION OF FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES 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.